Parrikar b'day bash panel
throws up curious names
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TO BHAI WITH LOVE
* 132-member committee set up to celebrate the 60th birthday of Manohar Parrikar in the State
* Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho who till today is on the books as Congressman, is the only Congressman to be on the committee
* Presence of the names of Mickky Pacheco and several independent MLAs from South Goa on committee has also raised eyebrows
* CM says its not a government-organised event. It is being done by his well-wishers who not only include BJP members but also members from the business community
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PANAJI
The actual celebration of the 60th birthday of Manohar Parrikar, may end up just being a sideshow.
Parrikar’s 60th birthday will be celebrated on December 13 and several leaders at the national level including Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and union Minister for Roads Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari are expected to grace the occasion.
The 132-member committee set up to celebrate the 60th birthday of Manohar Parrikar in the State has some curious names. The most curious among them being that of Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho.
Godinho, who till today is on the books as Congressman, is the only Congressman to be on the committee even as the presence of the names of Mickky Pacheco, and several independent MLAs from South Goa has also raised eyebrows.
Speaking to The Goan, Godinho said there was nothing wrong with he being there at the meeting, on the committee or celebrating Parrikar’s birthday.
“The chief minister called me for the meeting. When it comes to the supporting initiatives of the BJP government this is nothing new,” Godinho told The Goan adding that the meeting he attended was not a BJP meeting but a one called to celebrate Parrikar’s birthday.
“This is not a government-organised event. It is being done by his well-wishers who not only include the many members of the BJP but also members from the business community who are not members of the BJP,” Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar who heads the committee said.
The committee includes four vice presidents North Goa MP Shripad Naik, Deputy CM Francis D’Souza, BJP president Vinay Tendulkar and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar will function as the Secretary of the committee.
All ministers, MLAs as well as councillors and panchayat members owing allegiance to the BJP are members of the committee.
Prominent businessmen who are on the committee include Victor Albuquerque and Srinivas Dempo among others.
Besides Godinho, Mickky along with Caetano Silva are members of the committee as also Benjamin Silva. The names of other independents including Naresh Sawal, Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai have not made it to the list.
Mickky's presence also came as a surprise following his recent announcement that he will put candidates in all constituencies and fight both BJP and Congress.
