The extremely outrageous and very immature outburst by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar against the English daily ‘Herald’ has to be strongly condemned. More so it coming not from a 7th std passed legislator but from somebody reasonably highly educated holding an M.Sc and B.Ed degree. As claimed by Laxmikant Parsekar himself he may have hit the jackpot by becoming the Chief Minister without playing the lottery but the people of Goa were hoping that he would free Goa from the utter mess left behind by Manohar Parrikar. But the short sighted Laxmikant Parsekar who was so thrilled recently riding on a bullock cart has so soon proved that he also miserably lacks the vision and insight to be a tall leader.
Does Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar have to be told that the ‘Herald’ has been the Voice of Goa since 1900 and Sujay Gupta has been in Goa long enough? Before branding anyone as ‘outsider’ Laxmikant Parsekar needs to first enlighten us as to how the BJP government over the last three years while fooling us on the promise of Special Status for Goa has to the detriment of Goans brought in so many on various posts with Goans even conveniently sidelined in giving away of contracts and tenders. As if Goa was so intellectually bankrupt the Government even chose to bring in from Maharashtra Leena Mehandale to be the Chief Information Commissioner. The ‘Herald’ was only rightly highlighting that Freedom of Speech and Expression cannot be compromised by trying to have a Censor Board to oversee contents of lyrics of the songs and the script of dramas to be enacted on stage. This deceitful move of the government is no surprise as the BJP government has repeatedly displayed total intolerance to any criticism. Ironically while in the Opposition the BJP showed all humbleness and masqueraded around with all good values but once in power their arrogance hit the hilt. We have all been witness to democratic values being trampled on and voices of dissent ruthlessly crushed. On how most of the Press in Goa is muzzled and manipulated less said the better. Lord Acton had said “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. How true, we have seen it all over the last three years of BJP rule in Goa and in the last nine months of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. It is further appalling that the BJP is misusing the virtually dumb, deaf and blind folded Altar boys who are infact acting as pallbearers laying to rest what now remains of our once beautiful Goa. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
