*Once one of Mickky Pacheco’s ‘Men Friday’, CALVERT GONSALVES, recounts his experiences with the former tourism minister. *
MICKKY AND I first met while canvassing for Radharao Gracias during the 1999 Assembly elections against Churchill Alemao. Mickky said he was supporting Radharao because he had helped him get out of an assault charge. A South Goa Deputy Superintendent of Police (now retired) had then made the case file disappear in exchange for taking his son abroad. Mickky was a very good listener. He was then surrounded by several ‘Men Friday’ who were flocking to him for jobs abroad. He had thick gold chains around his neck, gold rings around his fingers and probably on all his toes. It appeared that Mickky was walking on clouds. Mickky had just married Sara and, like a good husband, he went home for lunch each afternoon. Not to his house, but Sara’s house. The dominant lady that she was, Sara even regulated Mickky’s diet. Mickky contested the 2002 Assembly elections from Benaulim against Churchill Alemao. "Tell me what you want" Mickky asked me, as if he possessed everything to give. "Churchill is my personal friend," I replied. "You can support me from inside by remaining in Churchill’s camp," Mickky suggested. "That will amount to betrayal, but don’t worry I will help you next time," I concluded. *NEW FACE* CHURCHILL had been MLA from November 1989. He had changed parties and created new ones. Whenever Churchill defected, his electorate defected with him. The opposition against Churchill was poor and he always succeeded in manipulating his opponents into fighting with each other. Now there was a valid choice (Mickky). Suddenly people said, "Churchill has won election after election and done nothing." There were others that were simply tired of the same old face. Mickky’s showmanship attracted everyone. Bundles of currency notes were flashed and distributed on the roadside, which attracted the young and old. Not only did he become MLA, but also a minister in the Parrikar government. In Benaulim constituency, with Churchill gone, Mickky inherited a mess and contributed to it. He made a living hell for those who opposed him. ‘Freedom of choice and expression’ was not in Mickky’s book. Luck kept smiling over Mickky and he kept abusing his power. Finally, Manohar Parrikar dropped him from his cabinet. This is when Mickky came to my house asking for help. Mickky’s humbleness impressed me. "Churchill is not there anymore. So you can help me now," Mickky reasoned. "Will you be able to patch up with people you have antagonised?" I asked. "I will do anything you say," assured Mickky. We first netted Minguel, owner of Joecons restaurant in Benaulim, and this helped Mickky even in the subsequent general elections in 2007 as Minguel funded him at a very crucial stage three days before polling day. This was when Mickky was financially dry and his opposition, John Fernandes, worked hard to capture the resentment vote. In a fit of madness, Mickky resigned as MLA in 2005 after joining the BJP for a few hours. His honeymoon with the Congress and hugging Churchill at Cidade de Goa lasted only a few days. The bye-election to follow in 2005, against Francisco Montecruz, was an agonising affair. I had to worry not just about money, but even winning the election was a doubt. I found that the hype of Mickky having a fortune in the USA was just a fairy tale. "Where is the place of business in the USA?" I asked but was only greeted by a deafening silence. *LYNDON* THAT election campaign was immaculately planned. Only Dr Willy and Fatima D’Sa canvassed among the 800-odd Brahmins. Networks were formed and tentacles used to tap various families. Lyndon Monteiro, Mickky’s personal assistant, was part of the core group. He had the knack of oiling the corrupt political system. Lyndon was Mickky’s banker. It was difficult for Lyndon to keep up with the growing pressure of providing more and more money and, at times, Lyndon’s hands used to tremble. With absolutely no money in the initial stage of canvassing, the hype of Mickky being a ‘money bag’ was capitalised on. Food and booze were kept flowing to clear doubts of money scarcity. "Tonnes of money is on its way from the USA," I assured everyone around. Village leaders were bought on credit and paid much after the elections. Mickky’s ‘never-give-up attitude’ was supported by his guts to take quick decisions. At this time, Viola was already the mother of Mickky’s older son. She canvassed actively. Even a single negative comment was brought to my notice and damage control done immediately. A very attractive young lady would constantly sit by my side and inquire, "Is everything okay? Is Mickky going to win?" I would only nod a "yes". Her suggestions outnumbered the questions. She was a pleasant person to have around. Most did not know who she was, but I did. She was Nadia Joelle Torrado. Viola would constantly peep out from Mickky’s apartment, but said nothing. Panic set in when Mickky’s real wife Sara decided to canvass for Montecruz. By now Sara was driven away and was living on her own at her house a few metres away from Mickky’s. Getting Sara to change her decision was not easy, but Minguel and I managed to do it. Sara’s gold was returned to her as an initial gesture of goodwill. Sara explained how she was used and abused by Mickky and how she stood by him and took care of him when he had nothing. Sara longed to have Mickky back and she saw a ray of hope in me to make that happen. *MICKKY VICTORY* MICKKY won the bye-elections by more than 2700 votes. But the agony did not end there. Mickky was made to struggle and finally made a minister after 40 odd days. The anxiety grew further when he was not given a portfolio for another 40 days. After frantic canvassing, the Agriculture portfolio was finally given to him. Thereafter, in my personal capacity, I prevented Mickky from being dropped as a minister. It was now very clear that Mickky relied totally on politics, even for his daily bread. Lyndon, Minguel and myself carefully planned several strategies which saw Churchill move off to Navelim constituency. The devil in Mickky immediately surfaced and suddenly he thought he could do everything on his own and needed no one. He was suddenly a different person. The agriculture portfolio was a poor man’s portfolio compared to tourism. Lyndon struggled to create avenues to bring in the money for Mickky. Job vacancies were created by Lyndon. If there were ten vacancies, Mickky would accept money from thirty different persons. When the time finally came to deliver, Lyndon would face the music. Those that did not get the promised jobs would end up at Lyndon’s house, sometimes abusive when the money was not returned. Handling Mickky after sunset was a herculean task. Like a drug addict, he would go to a restaurant in Colva. Mickky was provided with a variety of women, ranging from Russians and air hostesses to college girls. Mickky’s best friend was his mobile phone. He would lure women with SMSs. I know because I received a few by mistake. Adolescent females were his usual victims. He would get them addicted to a high spending life and a bonfire of promises, including those of marriage. Mickky used to get very violent with his women, including Viola, whom he used to beat mercilessly for asking to settle the marriage issue. As far as the electorate was concerned, Mickky would only cater to their needs during elections. The people could do nothing until the next elections. I realised that Mickky could not be trusted. In contrast, Churchill was much better. Everyone knew that Churchill could take you for a ride and yet they did not mind his company or friendship. Churchill was capable of sparking genuine laughter, but Mickky’s humour was black and foggy. Mickky cracked cruel jokes against the very people that had elected him. Churchill had a big heart whereas Mickky has none. *MICKKY THREAT* MICKKY sent me a message before the panchayat election: "Don’t contest the panchayat elections. If you do, I will go all out to defeat you." I took on Mickky and won. "How can Mickky do this to you?" my friends asked. "We need to pick ourselves and move forward. We can’t afford to complain," I told my guys. We were in for a surprise when a non entity in the form of John Fernandes surfaced to contest the Assembly elections of 2007. Here was a man who had not even voted in his life. John lost by 300 odd votes). Mickky came crashing to the ground, thanks to this harsh reality. The rivalry only grew further, with both of us getting at each other’s necks. Mickky tried to use the police against me and those that had opposed him. This went on for three years until Nadia’s tragic death, which has got him running in all directions. Perhaps Mickky has collapsed under his own weight. -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
