PANJIM: In what could further embarrass the BJP-led government in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza said that the post of DyCM is ornamental and has no meaning.
“I am just like any other minister, no special privileges or perks or anything. What is different is just that I get an escort vehicle,” D’Souza told Herald in an exclusive chat. The Dy CM has been in the news lately following his outbursts against Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar over the transfer of officers.
However, despite the chief minister reverting transfers relating to the Dy CM’s portfolios, D’Souza does not appear to be happy. “Dy CM’s post is not constitutional and does not have any special powers as people think. It means that I am number two in the hierarchy, whenever the CM is out of station he gives me charge. I hardly remember clearing any file as acting CM. Actually, I am just like any other minister. But hundreds of people come to meet me thinking I have powers over everything,” D’Souza said.
On a lighter note, he pointed out to his appointment as Dy Leader of the Opposition in 2011. “Constitutionally is there any post called Dy Opposition leader? But they had given it me to keep me satisfied.”
Regarding the chief minister reverting the transfers, D’Souza says, “Well I was not upset with the transfer of the secretary as much as that of Bardez Mamlatdar Khorjuvenkar. Despite my note to transfer Khorjuvenkar eight months ago nothing was done, but just a verbal statement from a minister in the neighbouring constituency and he is transferred. So what is the meaning of being a deputy chief minister?” he asked. “Being number 2, I must be consulted on the transfer of at least my officer, if not others,” he added.
He proffered the example of Siddhivinayak Naik who was transferred from Margao Municipal Council and the charge given to Dipali Naik. “I am the Urban Development Minister and I don’t know the transfers of major municipalities. I fail to understand this. People call me next day after the transfer and when I say I don’t know about it, they feel I am inefficient minister and do not care about my portfolios.”
Asked what further action he would take, D’Souza said, “What can I do? This happens in every party. I have been in the Congress. It is the same, and what can we say?”
When pointed out that his words sound similar to what Digambar Kamat, who 10 years ago was number two in the Manohar Parrikar government, had said while quitting the party, D’Souza said, “Maybe, I can’t talk for Digambar.” For now though, he says he is satisfied as the CM has assured him on various issues.
Asked whether there is any threat to the government following his Kochi trip with five other Catholic MLAs, he said, “Let me make it clear, there was no threat to the government earlier nor will there be in the future. Our Kochi trip, I have explained several times, was not political. It was a family picnic and our wives had planned it three months ago,” he said.
On speculation that he would quit the BJP at the next elections, he said, “You are absolutely wrong, when I had joined the party, I had made up my mind that I would finish my career with the same party and that decision still stands.”
