Benaulim, then and now NT News Service Margao Jan 28: A short chat with any Benaulikar and one will hear stories of how the erstwhile Manohar Parrikar government had contributed more to the developmental works in the constituency with Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco as the tourism minister.
Resident's say that although the agriculture minister, Mr Pacheco is also part of the present government, he seems to have his hands tied, thus justifying his recent outbursts against the state government and his own party the NCP. Echoing the people's response was the Benaulim sarpanch, Ms Guilermina Leitao who felt that Mr Pacheco's anger was justified since he was fighting for the people. "He had promised us so much. Now with the files being held up, he is bound to be irritated," she remarked. However, a well-known tiatrist from the area observed that the agriculture minister was a loud mouth. "This man is a straightforward person. So being innocent in politics he speaks aloud. His being open is affecting the development of the constituency," he said. The tiatrist opined that Mr Pacheco's actions would be difficult for anybody to explain. A resident of Murda Grande and builder, Mr Menino Mascarenhas said that after being sworn in as minister as much delay, Benaulikars expected that he would be given the tourism ministry. "It was Dr Willy then and it is Dr Willy now," he said. Mr Mascarenhas felt that it was Dr Wilfred de Souza who was causing problems to Mr Pacheco by way of ensuring that various essential files were held up and the agriculture minister was unable to function. "It really seems unjustified," the builder said. Expressing similar views was Varca sarpanch, Mr Snowkan Gonsalves. While wishing to speak only in general and not directly on the issue, a restaurant owner from Benaulim, Mr Jose Pereira remarked that governments in Goa were always unstable. "This situation has existed for long and unless there is unity nothing will improve. All the 40 MLAs should look at the overall development of the state," Mr Pereira said adding however that when there is no activity on the development front all including the MLA are bound to get frustrated. Another Benaulim resident and Margao-based dentist, Dr Hubert Gomes mentioned that for leaders like Mr Pacheco and Dr Wilfred de Souza it was really childish and immature to accuse each other of petty things. "If the Benaulim MLA is new to politics then the deputy chief minister is quite senior in the business. But both are required to respect party norms in toto," he said. When asked if Mr Pacheco could get re-elected in case elections were held today, Dr Gomes maintained that the people of Benaulim had their own strange ways of electing people. "They are really amazing and unpredictable people. They can really throw surprises during elections,"he stated. "However, Mr Pacheco getting re-elected won't surprise me," he said. A hotelier from the area felt that, people at large not being a part of political process should make an effort to understand why in this case Mr Pacheco was crying foul. "He is hot tempered. But if he does not make noise then how will the agriculture minister face the electorate for the third time," the hotelier asked. The Zilla panchayat member from Colva, Ms Nelly Rodrigues said that making a fuss over developmental works coming to a standstill would not work. "The chief minister is a seasoned politician. And throwing tantrums wont work. Look at us, we at the SGZP have no powers yet we don't complain,"she said.