Porvorim: Goa State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former Chief Minister, late Manohar Parrikar. An emotional Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant held back tears as he recalled his predecessor’s contribution towards his political career.
The House, which was summoned to conduct the floor test for the new government under Sawant, also remembered and condoled, the demise of former Deputy Chief Minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza and former Deputy Speaker and St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh. The motion was moved by BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar.
While Parrikar was called as the Father, architect of modern Goa, the legislators from ruling dispension remembered D’Souza as BJP’s minority face over the years. Wagh’s effort to legalize ‘Dhirio’, was also recalled on the Floor of the House.
In absence of the Speaker, the session was presided over by the deputy Speaker Michael Lobo, who urged government to name the new Mapusa bus stand after its former local MLA D’Souza; and to have a special art gallery in the name of Wagh in Kala Academy.
“Words cannot express tremendous grief of passing away of visionary leader, our beloved Manohar Bhai. Your contribution towards the State and nation would also be remembered. Let our silence in this House speak that words can’t. You are our eye in the sky,” Lobo said while passing the condolence motion. The House also observed one minute silence.
Before the session could commence, Sawant, with folded hand paid respect to the Chief Minister’s chair and then presided. Speaking on the condolence motion, the Chief Minister turned emotional and as he fought back the tears he remembered Parrikar.
“Today, if I am MLA and sitting on this chair (of CM), I owe everything to Parrikar. My journey from a common man to MLA, Speaker and now CM is all contributed to Parrikar,” said Sawant.
He appealed all the members to strengthen his hands as Chief Minister to fulfill dreams of Parrikar. “Not just from ruling, but I want opposition to also be with me. I also appeal the person to stand by me in fulfilling the dreams of Parrikar, who was a national hero,” Sawant said.
Supporting the motion, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said that it was proud moment for every Goan when Parrikar was elevated as Union Defence Minister. “We should emulate his style of working and also all the good virtues. The present government needs to work like him and inculcate all the good values and working style of Parrikar to ensure overall development of this State,” he said.
Kavlekar credited Parrikar for ensuring stability in the coalition government for two years despite not having the required majority for the party. “Even when he was ill for last one year, he ensured government stability and that is his skill. We need to appreciate this,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister and MGP leader Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar recalled how in the year 2002, Parrikar during his tenure as Chief Minister took a strong decision to have infrastructural facilities in the villages of the State. “He took the agenda of development from urban to rural population,” he said adding ‘will ensure that his dream of providing 24×7 water supply to each household is fulfilled and that would be a tribute to him’. Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai in his address said that “an era has come to an end.”
“Manohar means one who wins over the mind. This Manohar did not just win over the mind but heart of the State and the country,” he said.
The minister said that Parrikar had courage to smile in the face of inevitable. Sardesai said that Parrikar is one of the few politicians who won praise from the Election Commissioner of India.
Stating that cancer not only killed individual dream but dreams of the State, Sardesai said “We are here to take ahead legacy of Parrikar and take forward this government of Goenkarponn.” He said that taking forward his legacy; we need to develop Goa into 3Es- Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship,” he added.
In an attack on critics who criticized him for supporting Parrikar government in 2017, Sardesai said that people need to keep big heart and accept that he was a tallest leader of the nation and it is been proved through the love people showered on him during his funeral.
MGP leader and Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar recalled how Parrikar worked on increasing social indicators in the State by introducing welfare schemes.
BJP Minister Mauvin Godinho said that Parrikar’s personality was larger than life and his presence was felt in every decision that was taken while running the State.
“Parrikar impacted the life of citizens of State of Goa,” he said adding “it would be very difficult to get another Manohar Parrikar in the State.”
“When Parrikar called me to join the party I told him that I am getting the same feelings which I used to get with Rajiv Gandhi,” said Godinho, who had joined BJP before 2017 Assembly election. Independent MLA and Minister Govind Gawade said that the State cannot forget the contribution of Parrikar to the State.
Independent MLA and Minister Rohan Khaunte recalled how Parrikar taught many of the MLAs how to behave in Assembly. “His advice has gone a long way to what we are today. He has groomed us to be good administrators. Today, we will miss him in the House,” he said.
Khaunte termed him as father of Goan modernization.
