Adv. Antonio Lobo, of MSSG, was articulate and authoritative in his replies to rumbled-up questions by Sir Menino. Speaking with great fluency in both English and Konkani, I found him better than the other two, Aires Rodrigues and Floriano Lobo. He gave his own perspective to some of the issues, such as Special Status, Opinion Poll, Liberation/Annexation, Freedom Fighters, etc. He neatly evaded the questions that seemed like traps to get him to hit out bluntly against Manohar Parrikar and Alina Saldanha, who supported Goa Movement for Special Status (GMFSS), a rival body.
With his legal background, it seemed obvious he didn't want to get into the inter-body rivalry, though one of the key members of his Movement for Special Status for Goa (MSSG), Prof. Prajal Sakhardande quit MSSG. I found it ridiculous that Sir Menino would ask him to repeat something he said unfavourably of Alina. Remember, Sir Menino and Alina had exchange of words when he went to interview her in her cabin, as Sir Menino mentioned in a post on his website, Niz Goenkar. There seemed some hurt in Antonio Lobo's voice when he answered the question on Prof. Sakhardande, moved to the GMFSS. He, however, retained his composure and didn't falter, speaking with great control over his words. Unfortunately, faltering is the trademark of Sir Menino who looked nervous and fidgety in all the three interviews. He would either move his hands to his head, nose or ears in all the interviews. In the interview with Antonio, he moved his hand to scratch his armpit. It became clear that Antonio isn't happy with the way Goa's Liberation was achieved and also bit disappointed with Dr. Jack de Sequeira agreeing to have an Opinion Poll and not insisting on Plebiscite. As expected he admitted having no respect for freedom fighters. Overall, I enjoyed listening to Antonio Lobo. In contrast to Sir Menino, Antonio came out with flying colours. Eugene Correia
