------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------- People poke fun at politicians at Lok Adalat -------------------------------------------------------------- In the normal circumstances, it is hard to put embarrassing questions and poke fun at State-level politicians more so if they include ministers and chief minister. You don't know what they'll find very offensive.
But Sunday evening on the occasion of the week-long Shigmotsov festival, they were bombarded with sarcastic comments and awkward questions at Azad Maidan. It was a Lok Adalat mock court marshall organised by the Panjim Shigmotsav samiti.
The nearly two-hour function had the participation of the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, Congress spokesman and Pernem MLA, Jitendra Deshprabhu, NCP chief in Goa and Saligao MLA, Dr Wilfred de Souza, UGDP spokesman, Radharao Gracias, MGP leader, Dr Kashinath Jhalmi and Janata Party's Radhika Nayak.
Mainly due to 'sepoy' Pradip Naik and the Judge Dr Ajay Vaidya, the largely-attended programme turned out to be hillarious. Questions are posed to the participants saying that they are "people's questions." They had to give a message to the people at the end of their "grilling" in the "dock" as accused. Participants took most of the comments very sportingly.
Dr de Souza: Dr Willy was posed a question whether he would accept the demand of the youth to retire from politics as age is catching up with him and be an advisor. Answering in the affirmative, he said he was ready but let the youth come up with the proposal of advisor.
He said he would not want to go back as a surgeon as his eye vision is not very good. Just then the 'judge' Dr Vaidya said he would treat him as he is an ophthalmologist! Dr Vaidya with his sense of humour said that Dr Willy was very much in demand over the years as all the political parties were inviting him to conduct surgeries. But many a times, he conducted the surgeries very well but forgot to remove the stitches and went to other parties for some surgeries.
His message to the people was very interesting. He said the citizens should know that politicians do not always fight against each other though such an impression is given out.
Chief minister: Mr Parrikar defended undertaking major infrastructural projects in Panjim. Responding to a query as to why Pernem and Canacona are neglected he said Pernem will get more than Rs 100 crore Mopa airport and Rs 70 crore bridges in Canacona. What is wrong if Rs 50 crore are spent in Panjim? he asked.
He denied that he interferes with files of other ministers. When asked as to why he seeks files of PWD minister, Parrikar replied that files have to come to him because he holds the finance portfolio. "Files don't come to me to decide on the contractors," he said sarcastically. He disagreed that he should dress well as the CM of Goa state.
Radharao Gracias: His reply to the question why Srirang Narvekar has been replaced as the party chief with Monte de Cruz, sent peels of laughter in the audience.
Mr Gracias, referring to the Congress candidate for South Goa, said Church-(h)ill means church on a hill and to counter it, the UGDP had found a ready answer in Monte de Cruz whose name according to him means Cross on a hill!
On the UGDP member Babush Monserrate joining the BJP, Gracias said it's a 'fixed deposit' with the BJP. "We'll get higher rate of interest and encash it later."
Radhika Nayak said it was after a very careful thought that she had joined the JP from the BJP. She said she always worked for the self respect of women.
Dr Jhalmi denied that Pandurang Raut was proposing to contest on Hand symbol. ---------------------------------------- HERALD 15/4/04 page 3 ----------------------------------------
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