Finally the cat is out of the bag. The main criteria for the selection or rather the nomination of the Chief Minister or leader of the State Legislature are the membership of RSS. It is clear that RSS advises the NDA Government at the Centre before all nominations are made either in BJP-ruled states or at the Centre, there is no denying this fact.
Francis D’Souza had to fall in line and there is no doubt lot of arm twisting must have been done by the likes of Rudy and Yedurippa from the High Command to change his previous stand that he is the Deputy Chief Minister and natural contender for the post of Chief Minister. There is logic in this line of thinking, but that has not worked in favour of the candidate, reportedly because he is not a member of the RSS.
It was also reported in the press earlier that Francis D’Souza is not in line of the likely contenders for the CM’s post because of failing health. This does not look likely, because if that was true than he would not have laid claim for the vacant post on his arrival from abroad. The coming weeks and months will show how the new leader projects himself and if he can hold together all the members of BJP, MGP and independents including the so called altar boys, in short those who openly showed their support to Francis D’Souza’s candidature for the top post.
If there is a rift and pressure groups within the legislature, it will be unfortunate for Goa. It is in Goa’s interest to have a stable Government. No individual is indispensable and it may be a blessing in disguise that the State Government has lost an IIT’ian and replaced by a teacher. Goa may not need a teacher, but who are we to decide? Modi and Centre needs an IIT’ian to defend the country from the terrorists from across the border.
My humble request to the new Defence Minister is to show the door to the Navy in Goa so that we can retain our airport in Dabolim. This will save us crores of rupees on Mopa airport. This money can be better utilized for building better infrastructure in our towns and cities such as better toilets, sewage system, underground cabling, hospitals, schools, roads and parking facilities. Lets us create jobs for our young people who are forced to migrate. Let us say bye bye to Mopa.
