AGNELO PEREIRA
The Goan: You are miffed and not without a reason. But if I may use a euphemism, in an attempt to kill a rat(s) will you want to burn the whole house?
Laxmikant Parsekar: No Sir. That is the last thing that I would do. My colleagues in the party know the extent to which I will go. And that is why some of them have taken me for granted. Whatever I am doing is not an attempt to burn the house, but is an attempt to burn the mentality of some individuals.
The mentality that the president along with advisors…We three or four can run the party. This view point has intensified particularly after Manohar Parrikar became sick. We are going against the principles of BJP. Nation first, then party and then individuals has been our slogan. Here, it is government first. Rest everything can wait. Organisation is nowhere. Party is nowhere. It is either government by hook or crook or the benefit of individuals.
TG: Besides being a former chief minister and ex-BJP chief, you are one of the senior-most leaders who brought up BJP from the scratch. Do you think some leaders within your party want to see the back of you?
Parsekar: It’s an open secret now. Everybody knows it. Immediately after defeat, I was keeping a low profile. But coming to know that off late I was once again gaining popularity and was getting into active politics somebody thought that I would be difficult to manage. They chose this method to finish my career…
TG: Now that you have made your intention more or less clear on by-polls, do you think your belligerent stand will also have an effect in parliament elections?
Parsekar: Definitely. There will be an indirect impact. People can get angry. Today morning, senior leaders from three neighbouring constituencies called me up and said: “Sir, we are with you. You have expressed our feelings.” BJP karyakatas across the State feel that I am expressing their feelings and sentiments. A lot of people are hurt. I managed to voice their feelings.
TG: Are you alone in this battle to fight for justice or do you have the support of more leaders in the party and even in the legislative wing?
Parsekar: Of course, I have the support of party leaders and even MLAs. It’s not right on my part to reveal their names now.
TG: Is any other party in touch with you?
Parsekar: (Smiles). When elections are due just in two or three months, it’s not advisable to open all the cards. Certainly, some parties are in touch with me. But they know what Laxmikant Parsekar is. Some from the opposition camp sympathise and say you should not keep quiet. You have a political career and Goa needs you... Possibly they are trying to add fuel to fire. But then I am not a green horn in politics.
TG: This is not the first time that the party has taken Congressmen into BJP. Do you feel there is Congress-ization of BJP in Goa?
Parsekar: Certainly. The moment you take somebody into the party, you leave the constituency to him. In Salcete, there are eight constituencies where we can never make a dent. In addition, we have taken two Congressmen before the election, one after election and now, another two.
There is a talk that three more from Sattari and Bicholim talukas have been entrusted to one person. 16 seats are gone… In a House of 40, 16 is quite a number.
What is your evaluation of current govt?
It is headed by Manohar Parrikar, who is my leader. But to our bad luck, there is a vast difference about Manohar Parrikar before 2017 and after 2017. He is my leader and I don’t want to pass any comments. Moreover, he is not enjoying good health. But circumstances have compelled him to embrace non-BJP elements and in the process, BJP’s diehard karyakatas have suffered a lot... the reputation of this government has been affected.
