If the Congress had not pulled me down, I would have politically finished Babush once and for all
The elections to the Corporation of the City of Panjim will be, on paper, be fought by individual candidates backed by panels. But it’s really a battle which is bigger than thirty wards. It’s a battle for political space and power. It’s a battle between Manohar Parrikar, called the “creator” of Babush Monseratte and his creation, the MLA of Taleigao who wants to be MLA of Panjim.
In an interview to Sujay Gupta, Manohar Parrikar discusses a range of issues from his tag of “creator” to his past mistakes
Herald: Babush Monseratte’s growth is a result of your patronage. You created Babush
Parrikar: I did not create Babush. When he became an MLA for the first time, no one expected him to win. He had come with a mandate. That was a year when the BJP fell short of the majorty mark. We had 17 MLA’s and the Congress had 16. I had no option but to make up the numbers and had to ally with the MGP and the UGDP. At that point of time, no one knew who Monseratte was or what he would be.
Herald: So are you saying you inducted an unknown Monseratte, but it is under you that he grew.
Parrikar: Did he get involved in a single controversy in my government. I sacrificed my government when I knew that he had to go after he started manipulating the ODP plans of Taleigao. When I realised that I could not have a man like him in my government, I took Pratapsinh Rane and other opposition leaders into confidence. They however played politics and my government went. If I they had understood what I was saying and given me some time, I would have finished Babush once and for all.
Herald:What happened next?
Parrikar: Babush’s house became the Congress office, all MLA’s were bundled there and the next congress government was formed in his bedroom. And they call me his creator.
Herald: But Babush grew from strength to strength. He won elections. He is a serious challenger to you for the Panjim assembly seat
Parrikar: You must understand, he cannot fool people all the time. He throws money and wins votes. He managed it for the first time. The middle class is wary of him. Educated people are wary of him. Let every honourable Panjimite ask if they really want a person like Babush as their MLA. Let him win an election without money power. Actually let him try and win even with money power. Let there be a snap poll without canvassing and see if he stands a chance
Herald: Mr Parrikar, you are an intelligent man. You do realise that a lot of your efficiency has been undermined by your label of being communal
Parrikar: I can now admit to this much. Even if I know I’m not the way I’m portrayed, I did things inadvertently which may have conveyed that impression. For instance the decision to cancel the Good Friday holiday was did not originate from me. There was a central government circular to cut holidays and it was a routine decision. I realised later that its impact would be different. My PR skills were also not very good. I was abrasive sometimes even with the press. You know it.
Herald: So what does this election mean to you?
Parrikar: More than me, a victory in this election will give confidence to the people of Panjim that elections can be won without the force of power and money. That confidence is very important.
