In life it isn’t uncommon to face situations which we do not want to encounter. In Goa we are confronted with the serious health condition of our esteemed Chief Minister, who since the last few months has been continuously moving around the hospitals in Goa, New Delhi and the US. People have learned with deep pain that his health condition which was declared earlier as a serious pancreatic ailment is now being revealed as pancreatic cancer. Even when he was hospitalised, important policy decisions were taken within the four walls of the hospital by holding the Cabinet meeting there.
Now he has been confined in his home but political life and particularly the responsibility he holds as the Chief Minister of Goa is an endless and restless task. The opposition, no doubt needs to be vigilant highlighting the situation in the State that is admittedly in a state of turmoil, but the way the Congress made a statement that just because the ailing Chief Minister was not seen in public for some time, he may be no more is most unfortunate and has hit a new low in political discourse. Politicians making reckless statements is not uncommon in Indian politics but marking an end to a living person is most offensive to say the least.
The Chief Minister has put up a bold front by chairing a meeting of the Investment Promotion Board on Tuesday and also a Cabinet meeting the following day at his private residence. Nonetheless looking at the pictures it is felt that he is under terrible stress and needs complete rest to recuperate. It is apparent that the Central BJP leadership has pressurised Parrikar to continue as the Chief Minister at least till the parliamentary elections are held next year to avoid upheaval in the State and its backlash elsewhere.
We can imagine very well what will be the level of competition to usurp the top chair if Parrikar opts to demit office. The brittle state of the ruling alliance with three MLAs each from GFP, MGP and independents and lately another two from the Congress needs no elaboration. There will be a host of contenders for donning the colours of the Chief Minister putting up demands and threats as well. In the process the silent sufferer is Manohar Parrikar tasked with maintaining the stability of the ruling party despite his fragile health. In the given situation all that the Goans can do is to wish him strength to continue with his work and speedy recovery to be back at his usual best.
