By Aires Rodrigues
I have absolutely nothing personal against Manohar Parrikar with whom I have a very cordial relationship. Over the last 40 years I have highlighted wrongs done by successive governments and this mission I shall relentlessly pursue till my very end. During the Congress rule I was branded as a BJP man, now the BJP may feel I am an agent of the Congress. But I am what I am and so shall I remain, uncompromising and outspoken against anything that is wrong. I believe in fearlessly taking the bull by the horn.
Unlike his earlier stint as Chief Minister people thought that learning from his past mistakes that Manohar Parrikar would change for the better. Far from it, he has been a disaster. The problem with Mr. Manohar Parrikar is that he continues to be a bad listener. Unable to tolerate any criticism. His arrogance which he had craftily masked during last year’s election campaign now stands exposed. His autocratic style of functioning has no place in our democratic set up. A shrewd manipulator, Mr. Parrikar is a man who cannot be trusted for his word. He can give you a twist in the tale and take you on a joy ride into the fool’s paradise. A good leader has to be humble, caring, sensitive and without ego.
As part of his cunningly orchestrated political stunts Manohar Parrikar may have driven pillion on Caitu’s scooter at Benaulim, ridden a bicycle at Rachol and bought grams at the Navelim feast. These are all antics of a politician which by now will fool no Goan. His attendance at weddings and funerals of one and all will also mesmerize none. His mandate was for Zero tolerance to corruption and good governance with utmost transparency. What we have seen instead is over 11 months of a chaotic one man rule, riddled with a mountain of U turns. Manohar Parrikar stands red faced, but sadly he does not see his own face.
I am sure he must be working overtime to try and corner me. Fortunately as a lawyer I am not dependent on the government for my daily bread. My 35 sq mt office keeps me content. No desire of a multi storeyed office or a fleet of Mercedes alike my friend Atmaram Nadkarni.
Manohar Parrikar’s vindictive nature is now known to all. He must be yearning to catch me on the wrong foot but I act strictly within the parameters of law. I have no property for the Government to acquire as otherwise he would have definitely tried to settle scores by invoking the Land acquisition Act. He would be happy to see me fined whilst talking on the phone while at the wheel. But I have vowed not to take any call even the Chief Minister’s. I never over speed and always wear a seat belt. He will never get an occasion to use a breathalyzer on me as I never take to the wheels after hitting the Tuborg. The only rule I have been violating is of not going to Church every Sunday. But on this matter it is not Mr. Parrikar but his neighbor the Archbishop of Goa who can pull me up. And of course he may try and penalize me for not wearing a helmet. But Mr. Chief Minister I have now already bought one.
I have known Manohar Parrikar for over a decade and half but there are persons who could be a better judge of him. Vijay Khot, Dayanand Sopte and Rajesh Patnekar were his MLAs and have worked very closely with the Master of all U turns for many long years. They may be in a better position to speak about Manohar Parrikar the Man, his character, integrity and trustfulness. However, I earnestly appeal to Mr. Manohar Parrikar to take criticism positively and change his style of functioning and begin acting as a good decent leader, before it gets the better of him. I rest my case.
