�I AM AS GOOD AS BEING THE CHIEF MINISTER. . . � |
Babush Monserrate, the high-profile Minister for Town & Country Planning is the perennial newsmaker. His current beat is the Poinguinim bye-elections, where he is actively campaigning for the BJP candidate Isidore Fernandes. CALVERT GONSALVES met up with Babush at the Canacona Continental Hotel and queried him on varied issues including the recent Income Tax raids. Some excerpts�
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Goa Minister for Town & Country Planning, Babush Monserrate. . . politics mercenary style. |
What do you feel are the party's chances in this bye-election?
Our chances are very bright because the Congress cannot blame the BJP for lack of development in the constituency. What were they doing all these years? Sleeping? Now we have got on our feet to get the act together so they are now running for shelter. The basic day to day needs like water and electricity are not provided to these people by the Congress. We are going to provide it to them now. I am personally going to look into it. You just wait and watch.
Why are you so seriously involved in this bye-elections?
My commitment to Parrikar is total so I have to treat the elections as my own. Come what may, I have pledged my support to Parrikar till the end of this term. He has not disappointed me yet. I am even prepared to sit in the opposition with him if the situation arises. But all this is for this term only. What will happen after that is a different story.
If the BJP wins this election, will you stake claim for the Home portfolio?
No, no, no� I don't need the Home Portfolio. I have nothing lacking in terms of power. I am a content person in this Government.
Do you have aspirations to become the Chief Minister?
No. Right now I am as good as being the Chief Minister. Don't get me wrong. The Chief Minister has never said �NO� to me so if Parrikar or someone else is Chief Minister or if I am Chief Minister does not matter to me. There is no question of becoming Chief Minister now because my commitment to support the BJP till the end of this term will be honoured. In any case the Congress cannot be trusted at all.
The Opposition is crying foul about your extortion methods. Your comment.
I came into politics with more then what they have all put together. If I start talking, the Congressmen tongues will be paralyzed. They are living in bigger glass houses then me. Whatever I make, I also give away a portion of it. I have a habit of putting my hand into my pocket whereas the Congressmen have no pockets to put their hand in. In my case its not extortion, it is �assisting' to bend the law, not break it. And both benefit.
The Opposition, especially Victoria, bitterly complains that you use strong arm tactics and goondagiri at Taleigao. What do you have to say to that?
She is one person who should never ever cry foul about dadagiri . Tell her to look at herself in the mirror.
Were you lured to join the Congress by some of their leaders?
Yes� I was. In fact they told me to resign like Isidore and get re elected. But I told them that I had no face to do that. My case is different. I have done development on a large scale in my constituency whereas Isidore's constituency has been neglected. I asked them what would I tell my voters?
Luizinho then told me that people would not question me because I was rich. See this hypocrisy. Luizinho thinks highly of himself. I remember the time when I went to him for a ticket before the last Assembly elections. He discouraged me saying that I needed to study the whole thing first. �Are the priests good with you? Are the Church committees good with you? Is this one and that one good with you? Have you done social work? Will you be able to control more then 25 booths at a time? � are some of the things Luizinho sarcastically asked me. I think I have done much better then what he had expected. He and the others within the Congress thought very low about me then, so there is no question of me joining the people who feel that way.
Is it true that presently you are on a money spending spree at Poinguinim?
Well I really don't have to spend money the way you are accusing me of now. Tell me one thing, why should I take the trouble to lure the voters when I can actually buy the Opposition by sitting down in my hotel room? Most of these guys, including Churchill, are available for a price. If and when I buy these Congress leaders, the campaign of the Opposition will automatically fall apart. Remember one thing. I don't spend money like a fool. I spend money effectively and I get results.
What is your feeling about the Income Tax raid?
It was all planned by the Congress. It was a cheap trick of Luizinho and company. Even at 11am while the raid was on, I was informed that the Congress could call off the raid if they wanted.
Do you intend contesting at St Cruz and fielding your wife Jennifer at Taleigao for the next assembly elections?
I have not looked into that seriously. Only time will tell.
Do you intend taking over United Goans Democratic Party?
My commitment to the BJP is till the end of this term so there is no question of doing anything before that. The preparation for different things will be very much there if and when required. If I so desire, I will be able to get at least ten seats with a different setting. I don't rule out having a separate group of my own for the next assembly elections.
You are said to have been the main factor in influencing Isidore to resign from Congress.
Yes, I have been responsible to convince Isidore to take such a step but it is not true to say that I have personally given him a paisa from my pocket. About money changing hands, I am not involved in it.
How do you take it when a part of the Press is being hostile to you?
See, I don't let that rattle me because I think it is up to people to judge you. As long as you know you have done the right thing, it is all that matters. I am sure that Rajan Narayan will be less hostile and kind to me the day I disassociate myself from Manohar Parrikar.
Editor's Note:
Babush Monserrate is living under an illusion if not a delusion. I consider him more dangerous than Manohar Parrikar because he is a pure mercenary.
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