Dear Goanetters, Bab Marshall has posed several questions for me. Keeping aside the standard rheotoric about trishuls and genocides , there are 2 relevant queries : 1 ) Why does Manohar Parrikar not dissociate himself from the RSS and BJP ? 2 ) Can I guarantee that the Hindutva elements will not run riot in Goa and cause problems for the minorities if and when Manohar Parrikar comes to power again ?
# Regarding the first query , this is something that I have asked MP on more than one occasion. My belief in and support to MP far exceeds my belief and support ( if any ) for the RSS and BJP. MP's response was that to him the RSS is like the Church . Even the most religious of Catholics do not agree with everything the Church says. This does not mean they give up their affiliation to the Church. Similarly , he cannot distance himself from the RSS. Just as the Catholics have Christianity as their core ideology ( and not the Church ), MP considers Goa and the Goans , irrespective of religion , caste and socioeconomic status as his core ideology ( and not the RSS ) Additionally , MP said that it was the BJP which brought him to political prominence. And he believes in remaining faithful to those who have shown such faith in him. I respect MP's ideological stance.At least he is not a chameleon in camouflage gear like some religious and casteist bigots within the so called secular Congress. # Regarding question 2 , the answer is NO ...I cannot provide any guarantee to Mr Mendonza or others on this count. All I can do is air my honest views as to what I feel is best for Goa. These views have been formulated after much research and analysis over the last 2 - 3 years ( which has included 1 to 1 discussions with several thousands of Niz Goenkars as well as with political leaders both at local and central level from ALL major political forces in Goa....I have also accessed confidential documents and other info from within the bowels of government and party political files ) My opinion is limited to the present political circumstances ( and on the future events that may occur taking the balance of probabilities into account ). The opinion may change and so may my stance depending on how events unfold. Manohar Parrikar may well do something which will lose him my support. On the other hand , the Congress ( or some other political force ) may well get their act together...however unlikely it may seem, and gain my support. To re-iterate my stand , I feel that as of now : a ) Only a long term ,stable, responsible and competent government which looks after the interests of all communities in Goa can prevent this wonderful land of ours from going down the drain. b ) A Manohar Parrikar led government ( with a stronger minority representation than the BJP can offer at present ) is the best , if not only , option which can provide this governance. c ) The current Congress government is the most irresponsible and incompetent government to have ever ruled Goa. Their twin policies of uncontrolled corruption and minority communalism / vote bank politics are creating a ticking time bomb in Goa. It is just a question of time before the explosion comes...and it will come irrespective of MP or BJP involvement.That I can guarantee. Over the last few weeks , I have put forth my arguments supporting the above statements. I have done so with the aid of as much fact and as little rheotoric as possible. It is up to Mr Mendonza and others to accept , reject or suggest alternatives ( with fact and not rheotoric to support their claims ) Both BJP and Congress should be shown the door ( when there is no third option at present ) or shooting all 40 legislators ( when the Goan people will re-elect a similar bunch of 40 more ) are not the type of suggestions that will find genuine takers.Bringing Mr Salazar and the Portuguese back ( an option that I personally would prefer infinitely more than the Manohar Parrikar option) , is one that ,unfortunately, ain't availaible to us at the present . I sincerely wish it was availaible. warm regards, anand
