One reads lofty stories. Goa lies in ruins with corruption and crime rampant. Is the writer promoting himself to be an other altar boy? BC
This tiny state?s first-ever cabinet minister has many similarities with Modi. His performance as CM provides a salutary lesson in what to expect from Modi?s Prime Ministership By Vivek Menezes ________________________________ Manohar Parrikar has been a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in the BJP ranks for over a decade, as well as one of the most prominent and long-time supporters of PM Narendra Modi. But most Indians? first impression of the genial, salt-and-pepper-haired Goan politician came from the tears that welled up in his eyes during the press conference announcing that he had accepted the job of defense minister. ?It is very difficult for me to leave the state,? he said, ?I will go with a heavy heart.? Parrikar?s promotion into the highest echelons of national politics has been predicted and expected ever since the BJP won its sweeping mandate earlier this year. Part of the reason is his reputation for integrity: India?s defense ministry is the world?s largest arms importer, and scams and scandals have plagued it for decades. Another big factor is the IIT-Bombay graduate?s administrative competence and efficiency, virtues that Modi has sought to project as talismanic in his governance.
