Twitter
Advertisement

Goa elections 2017: Former CM Parrikar is still BJP’s trump card in Goa

Sensing the pulse of the state, where several people prefer him over incumbent Laxmikant Parsekar, Parrikar himself does not entirely rule out being at the helm of affairs if BJP wins the election for a second consecutive term.

Latest News
article-main
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar addresses a BJP election meeting in Vasco, Goa
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Without sirens or beacon lights, Manohar Parrikar, the Defence Minister of India, walked into a small hotel just before midnight after a hectic day of campaigning.  

This is home for him and this is where, it’s said, his heart is. A former chief minister, he is still the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) most popular face in the state, which goes to polls on February 4, thanks to his clean image and a down-to-earth approach in both public and private spheres. 

Sensing the pulse of the state, where several people prefer him over incumbent Laxmikant Parsekar, Parrikar himself does not entirely rule out being at the helm of affairs if BJP wins the election for a second consecutive term.
“People have some wish, we will consider it after elections. I had the mandate last time, people know me, I have (a) connect with people. It will be (a) mandate for BJP and it may have my efforts,” Parrikar says. 

Some Goans see the 61-year-old Parrikar as the person who called the shots in a BJP regime in the state, while others exuded confidence that if he was the chief ministerial candidate, the party will win again. “We only recognise Parrikar,” said Seema Bhakar, who rents bikes to tourists. 

The party, too, acknowledges that Parrikar is possibly their best bet in Goa. BJP president Amit Shah said that whatever role Parrikar gets after elections, the Goa government will function under his leadership. 

The IIT-educated Parrikar, whose political strength lies in Goa, is dismissive of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the alliance of the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party, Shiv Sena and the Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) floated by mentor-turned-foe Subhash Velingkar, the RSS’s former State Unit Chief, who has also joined the electoral race. 

Parrikar, however, refused to comment on Velingkar, and instead took on AAP,  describing it as the most corrupt party. “Goa is a close-knit society and nobody can be successful overnight. They spend Delhi government’s money for advertising in Goa. The people of Goa are aware of the way government is being run in Delhi,” he said.

During the campaign for previous elections held in 2012, Parrikar had reached out to Christians, who constitute around 25 per cent of the population of Goa, and had given tickets to candidates from the community. Several Christians, however, seemed upset with the Parsekar government, which took over after Parrikar’s move to Delhi, claiming promises made by the government have not been kept. 

“What happened to the promises, like special status to Goa and closing casinos mentioned in the manifesto before BJP came to power in 2012,” asked Anthony, a Catholic who works as a manager in a restaurant near the beach in Candolim. 

The disenchantment with the present regime, which took over after Parrikar moved to Delhi, is apparent. Fernandes, who works in a restaurant, said issues like beef had also contributed to the disillusionment in the party.  
But Anthony is unsure who will form the next government: “Congress, which does not have a (chief ministerial) face, is still sleeping. The AAP may get some votes,” he said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement