Looking at the unwell face of MLA Alina Saldhana in the media has prompted me to write this piece. Alina has worked tirelessly for the people of her constituency and to fulfill Matanhy’s manifesto and agenda. I do not wish the same fate for Alina as was the case of her late husband Matanhy and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Mathany looked exhausted and was on the verge of collapse as he stood in the jeep during his victory parade after the elections. I
remember how obvious it was to anyone who had eyes that he was on the point of collapsing - unfortunately, the euphoria was pervasive. Two days prior to his death, Matanhy was at my house. He had said to me: You didn’t expect me to win, did you? We talked and joked as usual. At the gate I warned him jokingly that he was going to die. He smiled and said: I don’t mind going. Alina Saldhana needs to reflect on the state of her health. A lot of people pay lip service to Matanhy Saldhana’s values. It can be safely said they are now buried deep in the ground - much deeper and beyond the reach of even our mining companies. And Alina has to think of making way for her nephew in politics.
