Team TNV
Q. You were a Congress backed candidate, how did you come to be in a BJP government?
I was not a Congress backed candidate. There was no Congress leader who came for my campaign in the constituency. They had extended support and we had welcomed it. But priorities then were different. When your house is not in order you can’t stay in it. This is the case with the Congress. You have to take a wise decision keeping in mind the wishes of people from your constituency. In the last five years I was in the opposition and have been vociferously speaking about issues with the interest of Goans at heart. Now there is a chance for us where we can look at stability. After talking to my core committee and a few community heads we had to take the right decision at the right time. From my side I have tried to the maximum to ensure that the formation led by Congress should happen. It was the inability of the Congress, about who their leader was, that resulted in this situation.
Q. Was it your tactical decision to remain independent, to keep all options open?
I have always gone by the will of my people. In 2012 I won when there was a BJP wave. In the last five years I have taken the constituency to the next level. When I went back to the people it was their wish that I should contest as an independent.
Q. Why independent, why not any particular party?
They have faith in Rohan Khaunte. They have always supported me. For me to take a call whether to contest on national party or Goa Forward, it was a decision that I wanted to take along with my people. My voters told me you should go as an independent.
Q. Why not Goa Forward? You have been mentoring that party.
I have not cut off my affiliation with Goa Forward. It was my clear understanding with Goa Forward that we will stand together. I supported Jayesh Salgaoncar in Saligao. It was very clear. Our strategies were clear.
Q. Do you think if you had to contest on Goa Forward you would not have got elected?
The question is not about whether I would have got elected or not. People had already decided to elect me. The entire state knows how my voters were under pressure.
Q. Parrikar has worked extremely against you in Porvorim constituency. So how do you support Parrikar to form the government?
As the leader of the people I have to set the priorities right. If I have to sit and think of what happened with me the best choice would be to keep my ego and self pride high and sit in opposition. That could be one way. The second way is to find solutions for the problems of my constituency.
Q. Have you forgiven Parrikar?
Politics does not run around individual persons. People have withstood all the pressure. The formation of the government today is due to the failure of Congress people to come together, elect one leader and form a government.
Q. You appear to have a love-hate relationship with the government.
Parrikar has proved to be an able administrator. Today the kind of borrowings we have, we will not be able to pay. We need to think of how revenue would be generated. Who can be the head of the State for stability? Who can ensure that the funds are received? Coalition government speaks more about development.
Q. Will this government complete its full tenure?
Lots of things have been discussed. Today we are at a stage where we have to find solutions for the problems.
Q. We still cannot digest the fact that Khaunte who was opposed to the BJP has joined hands with them.
Every decision taken by the government then in power were scrutinized by the people and therefore they did not vote for BJP. That is why the number of seats came down from 21 to 13. Many tall leaders were defeated. That is the lesson for BJP and they must have understood it. The decision taken by us to support the government was a tough decision. But as a leader, this is a forum for us to prove that we can perform.
Q. What would be your stand on casinos now?
The shifting of casinos from River Mandovi has been my priority since 2012. Finding a solution for the boats to move away from River Mandovi will always be on my agenda.
Q. When you were in opposition you were setting benchmarks for ministers, do you think you will be able to touch those benchmarks now?
I will try my best to perform to my capability. The main issue is that there are administrative collapses of the department. Wherever effectiveness of governance needs to be shown, we will do it.
Q. Did you support the government for Parrikar or did you support because Congress could not form the government?
The party with the maximum number of seats should decide their leader and form the government. When directions are not set, then you have to decide whether to continue with such a party and sit in the opposition or join the coalition which wants to perform. The letter of support is very clear that we are supporting the government led by Manohar Parrikar.
Q. This means if there is no Manohar Parrikar, Rohan Khaunte is not there in the government?
I don’t think there is leadership left after that. A leader is supposed to take the team together. It is premature to conclude everything today. I have taken a tough decision and we will stand by it.
