Some people in the BJP don't like my face and they don't like my religion, these are the terse lines from an apparently hurt Urban Development Minister and former deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza.
Speculations were rife that all is not well after Parrikar made a couple of visits to Mapusa while Francis was away, and took personal interest in the developmental works. The chief minister is known to have acquainted himself about the progress and pending works in the town and held meetings with several department officials, besides meeting Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson and councillors. The chief minister did what was required of him in the absence of his minister while the urban development minister didn't have a clue of what was going on in his backyard.
D'Souza, who has been the face of minorities in the BJP government in the State, besides being a big player in the saffron party's huge success in the 2012 poll, appears to be losing his foothold in the party. Going by the tone and tenor of D'Souza's words that Parrikar has become aggressive after his return from Delhi, it is clear that his equation with the leadership is on shaky ground.
If they are not interested in me, let them tell me. Let them drop me as a minister, let them drop me from the party. It's okay. It's not the end of life. I can manage it. These words are a reflection of an unwanted feeling creeping in. D'Souza has gone in flashback mode and recalled that in 2007 the name of Pradip Joshi was being considered by the BJP in Mapusa. But the urban development minister must remember that much water has flown down the Mandovi since then. Those were the days when he still wielded power and control within the party. The equation today is starkly different against the fact that his popularity within the party has been on the wane with his health remaining a major stumbling block.
Using the minority card at this point in time will work against D'Souza. A couple of years back, the Mapusa MLA played a key role on major issues, so much so that during Parsekar's regime he was the second in command. Never in his political career did he raise the communal card within the party. Never has he said that he is not liked because of his religion. Why now? Mapusa has been a Hindu-dominated constituency and people from Mapusa are not known to have voted on communal lines. This communal slant will only ruffle a few feathers within the party instead of getting him sympathy.
D'Souza is talking of the past ten years where he was almost at his peak. Attending functions, occasions and weddings don't mean anything. He was now out of his constituency for almost 45 days and reportedly taking treatment. Ministership has its own responsibilities and accountabilities. Being a minister D'Souza has to look at the bigger picture where the entire State is his constituency and not Mapusa alone. D'Souza must gracefully accept the fact that his performance is affected in a big way and it is being noticed and people are watching.
