HCN: You suddenly disappeared from the political scene after creating some controversies. The posts at ESG and Kala Academy were seized from you at the same time.
Wagh: My disappearance was neither sudden nor deliberate, but due to medical requirements. After the protests I chose to keep quiet because I was medically unfit and the doctor advised me to take complete bed rest.
HCN: Are you upset with the CM’s decision to remove you from the various posts?
Wagh: I’m not hurt and I have forgotten the chapter. I’m not upset with CM’s decision of appointing or removing anybody.
Maybe the CM had some other calculations. Whenever I am given any task, I prefer to work with an independent mind and that is a problem for some people.
I always work independently; I’m not a yes man. I apply my mind and I work according to my style, unlike several ministers who need somebody else to do their tasks as they don’t apply their mind.
HCN: Presently Damodar Naik is heading the ESG, are you happy that the post has been given to him?
Wagh: I’m happy that Damu is the new ESG chief. Damodar himself is a film producer, actor, lyricist and acts in dramas and has his own production company.
HCN: Tell us about your Office on Wheels
Wagh: I have a vehicle that takes me around to meet people right near their doorstep and cater to their needs immediately. This vehicle is my Office on Wheels. It will go to people; people need not come to my office. I’m the poorest of the 40 MLAs. This vehicle has been gifted to me by my cousin.
HCN: Overall are you happy with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar?
Wagh: I’m unhappy because most of the work in my constituency is pending and has not been done. I myself put money from my side worth Rs 16 crore, but nothing has been done to push the work forward.
HCN: You opposed Muthalik several times. In his statement, he says he won’t use violent methods, but peacefully oppose pub and drug culture. What is your reaction?
Wagh: I am warning the Goans not to get carried away by his face value. In Goa he pretends to be a saint and a messiah, which he is not. He is a mercenary and I have heard from my friends what he speaks in Belgaum and other places where he has branches of SRS. He gets hold of poor Hindu boys, brainwashes them with nasty things about Muslims and Catholics. He says India has to be a Hindu Rashtra. It is not acceptable and we don’t need a person like Pramod Muthalik.
HCN: Do you agree with Sudin Dhavalikar’s statement that Bikinis should be banned on Beaches?
Wagh: Can a PWD Minister ban bikinis on beaches? I challenge Dhavalikar to wear a dhoti and come to the Secretariat. In this session, I will come in a dhoti, let’s see if Dhavalikar stops wearing shirt and pant.
