Herald: You have been very vocal on the issues faced by the people; you have already spoken on coal, river, Sequeira statue and now taxi – more often than not you have always been on the other side of the government?
MICHAEL LOBO: Issues which touch Goans and which are close to them have to be taken up. And when I say we need to take up the issues, means we need to them up on a serious note and not merely make a political statement. I have seen a lot of politicians who just make statements without naming them; they just say they want the statue to come, they say we are with the Goan fisherman, taxi owners but in reality they have no time and it’s just a political stunt they do but I want people to get their rights. I take up issues where Goans are concerned for example opinion poll, we have to respect that date. We have to see the demands actually come into reality and or that somebody needs to work for that.
I don’t go against the party and government , I go the people way and go to solve their issues and problems. Sometimes there is a communication gap between the government officers and people, I try to bridge that gap, and there is link which is required between government and people. The moment you will take people for granted for that matter any politician or government official, the people’s revolution will start and it will hit you. When I am working for the people I do not care if some are happy or angry with me, as a representative I do not think only about me but entire Goa.
Herald: After all the issues, how is your relation with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar?
LOBO:I go to the Chief Minister as a representative of people, I am person of his party but when I go to him I go to do the work of the people. I try my best to convince him that this work of neglected people should be done. If it is genuine he will generally apply. I do not go to him with issues that cannot be resolved but go to him with genuine issues that a CM has to take up.
Herald: On the taxi issue the sentiments of the people of Goa were against them. Was there extra pressure on the Chief Minister?
LOBO: There are various issues – some people and tourists say they have been overcharged, but on the other side no taxi driver has any allegation such has molestation rape and other things against him. In other parts of India like Delhi, Haryana, people have fear, but in Goa it is totally different, here he respects women.
Various governments have failed to put meters or apps to the taxis. The person who supported them only went for vote bank politics. Sometimes you have to do things beyond vote bank and if you really sit with and understand their difficulties and solve them, they will never say no to apps-based meters. I do not see that as vote bank politics, I see them as Goans and I need to support them. When we are supporting them we need to resolve their issues first and then talk of app-based taxis and they will never say no.
Herald: You said if their demands are not met, you will resign, do you really mean it?
LOBO: If we do not work for the people who have voted us to power then what is the use of staying as an MLA. I have seen a lot of MLAs before who cheated the people but I want people’s work to be done and if it cannot be done, I will say no it cannot be done. So if can’t do these genuine people’s work then why should I continue as MLA and be a part of the government, it is better to be in opposition.
