The Goan traverses across Goa’s most colourful and enigmatic political arena, a year after independents gave BJP a thumping majority in SalcetteSujay Gupta / The Goan 25 May 2013 The Lotus bloomed in Salcette on the seeds of an uprising against Congress’ corruption. Can it now wilt under the heat of growing concern at the Chief Minister’s no holds barred effort to complete the Mopa project?And critically, is his bonhomie with the Church moving from bright sunshine to the shadow of uncertainty?The Goan traverses across Goa’s most colourful and enigmatic political arena, a year after independents gave BJP a thumping majority in Salcette The story of every victorious battle has nuggets of twists and turns where the plan could have gone horribly wrong. Manohar Parrikar faced one such before the assembly elections, when he was on a home run and all that was left were the votes to be counted to declare him the winner. But there was something bothering him. He reached out to one of his friends in industry and confessed “The medium of instruction grants is hopefully a non-issue. The press keeps on unnecessarily highlighting it”. The unease was palpable, because till the very end the Congress felt that Parrikar’s opposition to giving grants to schools imparting primary education in English would keep the Catholics of Salcette away. It didn’t. Even did the ghost of certain perceived decisions like blocking a Good Friday holiday, did not stand as a pebble against the anti-Congress wave. A year down the line, notwithstanding his bravado, any seasoned Chief Minister will have worry lines when he sees serious rumblings (as opposed to an uprising which it is not) in Salcette, against his decision to fast track the Mopa airport, light years away in Pernem, whose birth is perceived as a death knell for South Goa’s economy. The sight of a Lohia Maidan rally – the venue believed to be the harbinger of change – to protect the Dabolim airport, led by Father Eremito Rebello claiming to have the blessings of the Bishop, with Father Milagres Dias of the Grace Church as compere, is enough for even a “majority” backed Chief Minister to listen in intensely.Parrikar, more than anyone, realises that his work with Catholics is still work in progress. This is a phase of relationship building. He actually still does have the base, which voted against the Congress, willing to go with his government. But let there be no mistake, prominent Xaxticars, including those who have no desire to see the Congress propped up, say it’s a “significant issue.” Advocate Cleofato Coutinho, an intelligent well informed voice of Salcette, says, “Let’s face it, the coastal belt is the most vocal belt and the closure of Dabolim, which is inevitable, will affect people. It’s a real fear. However I don’t think it will be an over-riding factor.” Currently the Chief Minister’s biggest cushion is Salcete’s apathy for a change so soon. The independent MLAs who were chosen to throw the Congress out, are first timers who want to enjoy the loaves and fishes of office and establish their bases.At the same time there is genuine unrest even among prominent Catholics that a government they backed seems to be in manic rush to complete a contentious airport project, an agenda that was completely camouflaged pre elections. This has come as a bit of a shock. Sample this. Dr Marconi Correia, a prominent medic from Cortalim, openly supported the BJP. A couple of weeks ago he met another prominent doctor activist of Salcette, who is a Parrikar hater and asked him, “Dotor, can you ask Luizinho Faleiro (former Goa CM and close confidant of AICC president Sonia Gandhi) to whisper a few words in Sonia Gandhi’s ear about how South Goa will suffer without Dabolim?”. The Parrikar hater doctor replied “Don’t drag me into this, did any of you ask me before you brought the BJP to power?” The same doctor sarcastically remarked “There isn’t a single Catholic who is not a BJP supporter in Salcette. So let them realise now.” This conversation does expose a divide between the Catholics, perhaps born out of confusion and inability to figure which way Parrikar is going.That is precisely why the role of the church becomes significant and while the Church will take no stated position on the Mopa airport, it is clear that she will be seen in the “public square”. And this presence, clarified Father Fransisco Caldeira, Director, Diocesan Centre for Social Communication, in a communique on April 4 titled “The role of the church in politics,” should not be seen with suspicion or, even less, denied to her.” It is in this context that the BJP’s relationship with the Church may come under review. The Diocesan center, located in the Archbishop House and clearly the voice of the Bishop House, took the slightly unusual step of issuing a clarification when an insignificant BJP secretary, known to speak loosely, Arti Mehra, claimed that the Church supported the BJP and boasted about her supposed audience with the Archbishop. The denial from the Archbishop House and the explanation that the Archbishop attending Parrikar’s swearing in as a matter of protocol, are seen as perception clearing moves.The Church understands why Catholics backed the BJP and while it will not openly back the BJP or any other party, the inference is that powerful voices within the Church in Goa, are moving towards seriously reviewing many of Parrikar’s decisions, including Mopa, but critically the impasse over the Regional Plan.Hear some voices. Fr Maverick Fernandes, ex-President of Center for Social Justice and Peace said “The government hasn’t addressed the issues raised by the CSJP on the Regional Plan, but the CM told the media that he has replied to us when we are yet to receive any reply from him. This is really unprofessional.” Father Savio Fernandes, the current president said, “We are against Dabolim and acquiring land for an airport that will be no benefit to Goa”. And finally, the voice of the Archbishop, Fr Caldeira said “Right now the Church is waiting and watching on the pro Dabolim, anti-Mopa issue, but we are unhappy that Dabolim seems to be abandoned. The government is misleading the people on the issue.”This is surely a relationship Manohar Parrikar doesn’t want to mess with. And it is perhaps the only equation he is not completely in control of. An equation that a man of science and maths needs to balance, better than he ever did at IIT Bombay.(with inputs from Neshwin Almeida)
