Of Course, today, when I look at the criticism of Parrikar then, I realise he was far better and had a great sense than the current lot of politicians, who, in my opinion, do not match 20 p.c to his calibre as a leader and decision-maker.
His biggest mistake during the last term after 2017, is forcibly forming the government with the help of Goa Forward, MGP, independents, and so also bringing in the likes of Vishwajit Rane into BJP. That move dented his image. People started calling him power-hungry for forming a government through the backdoor.
The Opposition MLAs, Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai praised him for getting Padma Bhushan posthumously; others may have refrained due to political compulsions.
That’s the influence of this man.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
On Monday, late Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal Parrikar received the coveted Padma Bhushan award to the late chief minister. It was indeed a moment of pride.
Parrikar, a leader par excellence, is being missed by even his detractors for the condition in which Goa finds itself today.
There are no other words to explain the bravery and commitment of that man.
The man worked even when he was battling cancer in his last days, not because of greed for power but because he didn’t want to disturb the settlement with the coalition partners. He tried to resign after being diagnosed with cancer, but high command asked him to hold on.
As a true BJP warrior, he held on to the rope, but after his departure in March 2019, everything seems to have gone topsy-turvy.
Everything could have been so much better from politics, projects, education, and healthcare had this man handled the situation during the COVID19 pandemic wherein 3000-odd Goans lost their lives.
Many may call me wrong and an andh bhakti but they would not know I was one of his top detractors during my days his Herald.
I wrote against him, he called, we argued, but neither me nor he held any personal grudge. However, during Beach Cleaning expose he was upset most and never spoke to me thereafter.
Of Course, today, when I look at the criticism of Parrikar then, I realise he was far better and had a great sense than the current lot of politicians, who, in my opinion, do not match 20 p.c to his calibre as a leader and decision-maker.
His biggest mistake during the last term after 2017, is forcibly forming the government with the help of Goa Forward, MGP, independents, and so also bringing in the likes of Vishwajit Rane into BJP. That move dented his image. People started calling him power-hungry for forming a government through the backdoor.
The Opposition MLAs, Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai praised him for getting Padma Bhushan posthumously; others may have refrained due to political compulsions.
That’s the influence of this man.
There were many capable young leaders in the House like Vijai Sardesai, Sudin Dhavalikar, Rohan Khaunte, Michael Lobo, Vishwajit Rane, among others Manohar Parrikar shoes are too big to fit in.
Even as Opposition leaders, people waited for his speech. Many a time I observed him repeat the same things, but people liked the way he talked. Digambar Kamat had the nightmarish experience from 2007 to 2012, when Parrikar was the Leader of Opposition.
Another biggest issue with Parrikar was he did not create a second line of leaders. After his demise, BJP literally struggled to find one. Consider this, the choice was between Pramod Sawant and Vishwajit Rane?
The two have given Goa a nightmarish experience in the last two years. BJP is now feeling the pinch after facing criticism from the people.
Goa has seen several issues like three linear projects in Mollem, Mhadei diversion, Coal handling at MPT, sub-standard work on national highways, corruption in COVID19 purchases, amongst many others.
One wonders whether these issues could have been handled better had Parrikar been at the helm?
