THE GOAN: In one sentence, why should people vote for you?
VIJAY POI KHOT: No one could match the developments I executed during my previous term. In fact, no developments took place in Canacona and only I can change the equation like before.
TG: If you are part of the government, which is the first legislation you would like to pass in the Assembly?
VPK: There are a lot that are Canacona specific. Foremost, forest dwellers have been at loggerheads with the successive governments for Kumeri Land. I will seek a legislation to settle these Kumeri plots issue. There is a place called Bardem in Cotigao where people are staying since ages, the land they live on is still in the name of the government and though they have grown trees, they can't cut a single tree in case there is any need.
There are a lot of issues all over the constituency. For example, the boats (dolphin trips) association do not have proper place where they can station their boats during the monsoons. A legislation is needed to protect the rights of all of these people.
TG: Which is that one leader outside your party that you admire as a politician, and why?
VPK: I have no leader from the present lot for whom I admire as such.
TG: Who would be your chief ministerial choice, should your party come into power?
VPK: In case the CM’s post depends on a support of an individual, the way it has happened in Jharkhand, I will lay claim to CM’s post myself. Otherwise, I won't have any say in the choosing of a CM, but I will stand with the party which forms the government, especially the one who can solve all my issues in Canacona. However, I will take a decision taking into account the opinions of my voters and supporters.
TG: Do you justify a merger by 2/3rd or do you consider it as a move against the mandate of people? Explain.
VPK: I do not justify merger of one party to another party. In fact, I don't like it for the simple reason one is violating the faith of your voters and that's the very reason why I have decided to go independent rejecting all the offers from different parties. In the past when I was BJP MLA, I used to get lots of offers from other parties to join, but I had never entertained such moves, because I don't like that at all.
TG: Do you feel that the 2022 election will throw a clear winner? Who are your top three finishers along with seats they are likely to win.
VPK: No party will get a majority and it will be a fractured mandate. However, the Congress will get maximum seats followed by BJP and MGP. I haven’t really thought about how many seats each party will get as I have been focussing on my own constituency and have no time to think about State level results.
