(Earlier story)
Francis D Souza, Goa’s evergreen Chief Minister in waiting, the man who walked with and sat next to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the same class in school in Mapusa, and who was also struck with the same kind of ailment as his friend, passed away this afternoon in a private hospital, leaving a void in the arena of gentleman’s politics.
The news of D Souza’s passing, came less than twenty four hours after the BJP lost another powerful voice Vishnu Surya Wagh who passed away a week ago in Cape Town South Africa. Wagh was an omnipresent and firebrand rebel who didn’t quite leave the BJP. Francis D Souza, was a genteel loyalist who nursed hurt but never veered from the party line, till he expressed his hurt and displeasure at the fag end of his career, and ultimately his life. The last straw was when he was, mainly on account of his prolonged health related absence, dropped from the cabinet by Chief Minister Parrikar. He had said then “I will resign from the Goa BJP unit’s core committee once I am back on October 15 (from the US). I don’t want anything from the party in the future. Even if offered, I will not take up any government position. I am fighting for my self-respect. If you can’t respect that, then I don’t want anything from you. It’s all over.”
He asked if this was his reward, for being a party loyalist for twenty years.
However after that outburst, he went into a shell but did not quit any party position.
But his long and checkered career had just one trophy missing- that of Chief minister of Goa. Many in Goa, cutting across party lines felt, especially when Manohar Parrikar resigned to join the Narendra Modi cabinet, that he should take over as Chief Minister. While some felt this would be a symbolic boost since Francis was a minority leader in the BJP, those who have followed his path and know Goa’s politics realised that D Souza was beyond symbolism. And yet, when he was alienated, this factor played out, with many asking, if this could have played a part in him not reaching the pinnacle, inspite of waking up the long road to power.
Reactions to his passing away poured in from all quarters. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said “I am deeply pained with the demise of my colleague in the Assembly Adv Francis D Souza. We both started our political career as councilors and always shred a very heart relationship. My condolences to his bereaved family”
Heath Minister Vishwajit Rane said “Deeply saddened. May the almighty grant the loved ones courage to cherish his memories. My condolences”
(This story will be updated later)