It was a tough fight in the Panaji elections with both toppers coming in close. It can be construed that both -- Utpal Parrikar (Ind) and BJP’s Babush Monserrate -- won the people’s mandate. It is extremely rare to have a tie in elections. Hence only someone who tops with a clear-cut majority can truly be termed as a winner. Utpal has done pretty well for a first-timer. If he had to go for recounting, maybe there would have been a surprise.
Government recruitment
Examinations to various posts in the Government were held. Candidates were selected directly without any interview as is the norm in all recruitment. Moreover, nowhere in the advertisements for these posts was it stated that the topper in the examination would be directly selected without any interview. Those candidates in the top seven or ten could have been called for an interview. It is strange that even those possessing the requisite qualifications and experience have not made it to the merit list. It was the late Manohar Parrikar, who had the audacity to say that government jobs would not necessarily be given to party workers but to those with proper qualifications on the basis of merit. It was this quality of his that endeared him to all. It is also for this reason that people stood behind the BJP. It would be appropriate to give government jobs to those party workers who have put in fifteen years of free service. Besides they should also possess the proper qualifications and experience for the job. If such candidates are not found the jobs should then be given out on the basis of merit.
