‘Let them drop me as minister... Let them drop me from party'
AGNELO PEREIRA
MAPUSA
The Goan (TG): In your absence, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar visited Mapusa twice and has been keeping a tab on progress of various works in the city. Were you kept in the loop on the developments?
Francis D'Souza (FD): I'm aware that the chief minister had allotted Rs 20 crore for Mapusa in the budget. In any case, the chief minister has a right to visit any place in the State, He is above me, I am
not above him. In a way, it's good he visited Mapusa. But I don't know what more he has done.
TG: There are growing speculations that you are going to relinquish your post or may be even resign as member of assembly. How far is this true?
FD: These rumours have been going on since 2007. There were rumours about me and my health. I'm a diabetic and have high hypertension. But never once have I failed in my duty. You can check my record for the last 10 years and you'll see that not a single day I have been at home. I have attended functions, occasions, weddings and have attended office everyday. I did party work. I did almost everything. There was no reason to complain. But there was what you call, a hidden agenda by some people. They kept on saying the same thing like I am not in good health.
TG: And do you think someone within the BJP was setting this agenda?
FD: It could be. It's been going on since 2007. It's not a new thing. Some people don't like my face. They don't like my religion also. But these are few people, not many. They don't like the idea of a Catholic representing a Hindu constituency. They think it's Hindu (constituency), but there are more than 10,000 minority votes in Mapusa.
TG: How has your relation been with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar?
FD: After going to Delhi and coming back, he's more aggressive. He's aggressive with the press, he's aggressive with everybody.
TG: How are your keeping with your health? There are talks that you are in Mumbai.
FD: You can send me to the medical board for a full report on my health. I am in Goa. My house in being painted and I'm presently staying at my sister-in-law's place. That's why I find it little inconvenient to call people here. I have met the Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson (Rohan Kavlekar). I have just spoken to Sandip (Falari). I keep talking to people.
TG: When will you officially join duty?
FD: I really don't know. May be, in another week's time.
TG: Are you upset with the BJP? Are you hurt?
FD: It is they who brought me into the BJP, I did not voluntarily join the party. There cannot be use and throw policy. In 2007, they did the same thing. They propped up Pradip Joshi. I went up to the CM and told him that if you want to give him the ticket, give him. But tell me two months before the election. I will manage my own things. And today too, I'm saying the same thing. If they are not interested in me, let them tell me. Let them drop
me as minister, let them drop me from the party. It's okay. It's not the end of life. I can manage it.
Bifurcating NGPDA could be for
political reasons: Minister
MAPUSA: Indicating his approval to the Town and Country Planning department's decision to have three chief town planners, Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza has, however, suggested the possibility of "political reasons" for plans to bifurcate the North Goa Planning Development Authority (NGPDA).
Speaking to The Goan following his return to the State on Tuesday, D'Souza said the idea of segregating work in the TCP department had been floated for a very long time.
