Alexandre Moniz Barbosa
alexandre@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: He was one of the original four BJP MLAs to be elected from Goa, a loyal member of the party, who in his second term as MLA was elected as deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly. But then, as his colleagues went on to occupy top positions in the State and Centre, health problems slowed down Narahari Haldankar’s political career. His fellow BJP MLAs in 1994 were Manohar Parrikar, Digambar Kamat and Shripad Naik, the first four party MLAs in Goa.
Today, the former Valpoi MLA stands on the fringes of active politics, a pillar of the party that holds the reins of government in the State, and with pride that his colleagues are big names to be reckoned with.
“When a friend does well, you feel happy, and I am very happy to see Manohar Parrikar and Shripad Naik as Union ministers today. Parrikar always had a certain style and leadership qualities and this has taken him to the Defence Ministry today,” Haldankar told Herald.
While politics became a major and successful profession for three of them, a heart bypass kept Haldankar from taking his political ambitions forward. “My family felt that I should slow down my political activity after the bypass, so I took a conscious decision not to contest more elections. I am still friends with the other three MLAs. I have maintained those contacts,” Haldankar said as he prepared to go to Panjim later on Wednesday evening to greet the new Defence Minister.
While Parrikar became chief minister of the State and is now the Union Defence Minister, Naik is the current Union Aayush minister and has held various other portfolios in the past. Digambar Kamat too made it to the top post in Goa, having been chief minister from 2007 to 2012 albeit as a Congressman. “We were the char khambe (four pillars) of the BJP until Digambar went to the Congress. Today people tell me, ‘your colleagues have reached the Centre, what about you?’ I reply that health is wealth and for me that is more important. I am happy for them.”
While most of his time is now devoted to the family cashew nut and cashew feni business, the 64-year-old politician hasn’t cut off ties with the party. “I am an executive committee member of the BJP. As a senior member of the party I am consulted on various issues, especially concerning Valpoi constituency. The party gives me all the importance.”
Haldankar doesn’t rule out a return to electoral politics, but for the moment is happy with the role he is playing in the party.
