Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is confident BJP will repeat its 2012 Assembly poll performance, even as he reiterated that the Congress has collapsed in some places
You were busy campaigning in the State and other parts of the country. How was your campaign?
It was very good. The level of involvement and enthusiasm of local people in the Lok Sabha election campaign is comparatively always low. This time though, I expect much better voting percentage. We had always stressed on door-to-door campaigning. Accordingly, we planned our booth-level organization and they have done the job.
What was your main strategy in Goa? After all, Goa is sometimes considered different from the rest of India.
I don’t think so, except for certain sections of minorities who are not that conversant with internet and they are always being misled by false propaganda. The rest of the population is enthused by Modi becoming the prime minister. So, I don’t see much difference in our strategy. But there is one added aspect to Goa’s election and that is the local government’s performance.
Though the enthusiasm among people is less in the Lok Sabha polls, do you see a repeat of BJP’s 2012 performance in these polls?
I see a better performance by the BJP in these polls than the 2012 Assembly elections, in the sense that we will lead in most constituencies. Of course, you can’t compare the Lok Sabha polls to the Assembly polls, but in many constituencies we may poll more votes than the assembly votes. I am sure that at least half the constituencies will give us more votes than in the assembly polls. Even in the remaining constituencies, we will get more or less what we got during the assembly polls.
Will people vote for Modi or Parrikar?
I feel that the Modi factor is definitely there, as well as the local government factor.
But there are reservations regarding Modi, but Parrikar is much more acceptable among Goan people.
See, in certain section this is true, not that those sections do not like Modi. Many of them may like Modi. A Congressman who would otherwise have not voted for the BJP in local elections today thinks of voting for Modi because he does not want the Congress at the Centre.
Do you think that this is the best opportunity for the BJP to form the government in Delhi?
I think, yes, with a pre-poll alliance. I am confident we will cross 272 seats with our partners. The alliance of the TDP with the NDA was initially broached by me, though I don’t claim credit for it.
The BJP has been trying to consolidate in South Goa, where the BJP has never won. But you claim that the BJP will win both seats?
First, we have consolidated in areas where we were strong. Second, our position in Salcete is improving day by day. Three, the Congress structurally is collapsing and in some areas they have collapsed.
But do you think that those votes which are not going to the Congress will go to the BJP as there are other options as well?
Those votes which have to come to BJP will come to the BJP. Those who do not want Congress but cannot go to BJP because of some reason will go to other parties, but that number will not be very big.
What were the main issues for the BJP?
The government at the Centre was ineffective and people wanted a pro-active government which would have taken decisions, so that industrial growth starts and mining will also start functioning. People are frustrated with the existing setup. Second, if you have both MPs in the ruling party at the Centre and with the same party ruling in the State, the state management becomes easier and the State can get lot of financial support for various schemes.
Special status for Goa has been your main issue since the BJP government came to power in the State.
As long as it comes, in one way or the other does not matter to me, as long as I can protect the State from indiscriminate movement (immigration) into the State. The concept has been explained to our leaders and they initially had financial reservations, but we said we don’t want any finances for special status. We, however, asked for a financial package for the mining loss, which is a one-time issue.
You are hopeful of resumption of mining after the SC order sometime soon. But mining will not start soon.
I don’t know what conditions will be put by the SC, but I think mining will be permitted to start. Now the two orders, one is the EC clearances, which was suspended by the central government after the Shah Commission report which puts all mines out of the mining zone, will have to be restored back. The other difficulty will be to get all those clearances that are required, as indicated by the SC.
One of the issues during the poll campaign was the Mopa airport issue.
I think that debate is no more a strong debate because we have very clearly stated that Dabolim airport will stay. I was the one instrumental in getting the new Dabolim airport terminus. I noticed the road passing through the naval headquarters and suggested that it be shifted 80-90 metres to the right so that space would be created for future airport expansion. That is how I gave nearly 39,996 sq metres, nearly 4 hectares of land, to the Airports Authority of India by diverting the road. Mopa airport is a futuristic need. One thing needs to be noted that we are not giving a single paisa to anyone to develop the Mopa airport except for the land. The developer will have to bring all the money and it will be their responsibility to bring in the passengers also. We will put a clear condition Dabolim airport will not close down.
