15 questions in no particular order. Please note that I am NOT a fan of Goan politicians. George
Question 1: Why has no Goan politican gone to jail/prison for corruption when the it is apparent to the average Goan that corruption pervades every aspect of Goan political life and that every govt. transaction involves a bribe or benefit to the politican. Question 2: On the VCD - What was your government's intention in circulating the controversial VCD to young minds in schools before Liberation Day 2004? Was it to rake up old wounds? While you have sought to pass on responsibility to the panel that whetted the script, you have stayed silent about the picturisation of "history". Can you comment? Question 3: Caste - Your government was seen to be strongly dominated by one caste (Saraswats) who are seen as having got a disproportionate share of top appointments, contracts, etc. Can you comment? Question 4: Political games - When you toppled the Sardinha government whom you helped put in power, was it back-stabbing? And by stoking dissidence within the Congress are you not manipulating political opportunism? Question 5: Where you serious when you made this statement as reported by GT. If so, did you achieve it? - "POVERTY WILL BID GOODBYE IN TWO MONTHS": Two months hence there would not be a single person in Goa living below the poverty line, asserted Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He was speaking after inaugurating the library-cum-gymkhana project of a school in Mashem, Canacona. Parrikar said that about 56,000 people would be brought under the Dayanand Niradhar Yojana, 60,000 families in the state would be provided with computer sin the next five years, and every year 12,000 students would be benefited by the scheme, he added. (GT) Question 6: Do you think this is an apt role for a governor of a secular state - On October 11, 2003, Governor Mr. Kidar Nath Sahani has said that the re-construction of temples demolished by the Portuguese and erstwhile regimes has great importance in the nation building task and in bringing about national awakening among the people. Mrs. Vimla Sahani also accompanied the Governor. The Governor was speaking to the people when he visited the old site of Shree Mahalsa temple at Verna. The re-construction of Mahalsa temple has been taken up at Verna at a cost of Rs. 4 Crores. Question 7: What is your view of plays like "Mee Nathuram Boltoy" staged during your govt. in Kala Academy, Panjim? Question 8: During your govt., Konkani singer William de Curtorim claims he was told to "stop singing political songs", but argues that his words were only echoing news reports which appeared in the local press. Is there any truth in this? Question 9: How many police constables (and other ranks) did you recruit during your regime? How many of these were from the minority communities? Question 10: How do you rate the role of governors who served during your tenure - Governor Mohammed Fazal and official RSS member, Kidar Nath Sahani? Do you have any complaints of corruption or misuse of office or land deals by either or their kin? Question 11: In an interview given to Outlook (15th June, 2002) while CM of Goa, you asserted you were a staunch RSS member. Do you stand by this? Why, or why not? Question 12: What is your stand on the anti-Muslim riots at Curchorem? Question 13: Why did you rush to the rescue of Babush Monserrate, when he was facing income tax raids? Question 14: How come you have had no qualms in doing business with controversial politicians like Babush Monserrate or Mickky Pacheco, but have been critical of them only before or after they were in alliance with you? Question 15: You have been accused of having bulldozed the Panjim Municipal Corporation Bill. Is this a correct characterization of your action?
