Team Herald
PANJIM: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s 60th birthday celebration in Goa on Sunday appeared to be a virtual show of strength for the Bhartiya Janata Party to restore their popularity ahead of 2017 assembly elections.
Over 50,000 people across Goa attended the celebration, who were ferried by 902 buses, which were arranged to pick and drop the people from the remote villages of the State like Sanguem, Quepem, Cancona, Valpoi, Sanquelim, Bicholim etc.
Parrikar’s birthday witnessed massive presence, especially after defeats in Municipal and Zilla Panchayat elections, which were held recently in the state.
In his entire speech Parrikar, spoke over the opposition and the criticism which the party was getting from Goan activists and opposition.
Parrikar stated that only BJP can assure good governace and development.
“We must have done some mistakes, I am admitting it, we are human beings and tend to make mistakes, but I am telling you only BJP can only give development and good governance for Goa,” he said,
The arrangements, preparation and the expenditure will be counted in crores of rupees, the function appeared more like a political function rather than the normal birthday celebration. People started gathering at the venue from 3 pm, who were served refreshment and water at the entry points.
It has been learnt that at every booth there was one bus and the responsibility was handed over to the booth chief of the BJP in the village.
The special arrangements for parking all the buses and private vehicles were also made, some of the buses even were parked at Taleigao. The entire police force was deployed at the venue at Campal plus all party’s ventures were also deployed at all parking places and junctions.
Apart from the regular private buses some Kadamba, buses were also pressed into service and organisers say they were paid by the supporters.
In the run-up to this function, posters greeting Parrikar were displayed all over Goa, more than 10000 posters and banners were been displayed. The publicity and way of preparation was done on par with the preparations of election in Goa.
The function, which was supposed to begin at 4.30 pm, started around 45 minutes late.
In their speech speakers after speakers unleashed rhetoric praising the achievements of BJP and more importantantly Parrikar, indicating that birthday celebration was just an excuse to garner support for BJP.
The birthday was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari, North Goa MP and AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, BJP MPs Tarun Vijay, Purshottam Rupala and Satyapal Singh. All ministers of Parsekar cabinet and all MLAS, Party leaders were also present on the stage. Congress MLA and SGPDA Chairman Mauvin Godinho was interestingly seen on the stage sitting in the middle of BJP crowd.
