Team TNV
Q: How do you justify your decision to go against your earlier stand which was anti-BJP?
Goa Forward got the mandate because of its slogan which was about Goenkarponn. We did not want to waste this mandate. And we wanted to take forward our agenda with this mandate. We needed to support a stable government. Congress is overloaded with grandfathers who are overambitious and who are former chief ministers and wanted to become the next Chief Minister. Congress could not give stability to Goa. If we want to take this agenda of Goenkarponn forward we need a stable government and also need support from the Centre. Congress has backstabbed me twice, so why should I support them?
Q: You supported Parrikar because Congress backstabbed you or you supported Parrikar because you wanted him to be the Chief Minister?
I have supported Parrikar because I feel he with his experience as Defence Minister and with his connections in Delhi can leverage those relations for the betterment of Goa. Also, he knows to run a coalition government, he has run it in the past and he has effectively run it. So I felt that it was the best stand. We had to take the stand, we could not be oblivious to our position. We took a stand which was thoughtful and would be of benefit to Goa and Goans.
Q: Vijai Sardesai was always thought of as a man of ethics. How did you suddenly forget that Parrikar had labelled you as a dalal?
I started my career in the year 2012 which was laced with the backstabbing by the Congress party. Why should I forgive them? Why should Congress take me for granted? Was I their pre-poll ally? Did they help me to win the three seats? They again backstabbed me in 2017. Congress wanted us to be finished. Luizinho Faleiro makes a statement that he would form the government with GSM and MGP. He never thought about us.
Q: Were you sure that you would not form government with Congress when you contested the election?
We contested elections not just to form the government. We wanted to form a Goenkarwadi government. This government would take forward our slogan. Prioritization of interest of Sons of Soil is our agenda.
Q: There are some issues which can create a rift between you and your partners.
Precisely, that is why we are forming a Common Minimum Program. This program will be a guiding force for us. It will take one month to formulate this program. We will solve the issue sitting across the table. There are others like Rohan Khaunte, who will sit and work out the Common Minimum Program.
Q: Do you feel Parrikar as like-minded to you?
Before counting I had said that Parrikar can be a good Chief Minister. Now we are with them. We feel that he is capable. We also want to see the commitment of BJP towards Goa, as the state is an important place which is strategically placed. BJP relieved its efficient Defence Minister just for the sake of Goa.
Q: You have become a BJP fan.
I have not become a BJP fan. I admire their commitment towards politics and towards the cause of Goa. They relieved their Defence Minister just on our word that we will support them. Congress took three days only to elect their leader.
Q: Would you have supported Congress if they had to announce Digambar Kamat as CM?
Ifs and buts. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. There is no question talking about ifs. Digvijaya Singh said I spoke to Rahul Gandhi. He made me speak to Rahul Gandhi. I don’t deny that I spoke to him. I have considered all aspects. After considering all aspects we reached to the conclusion that this would be in the best interest of the State. Many people find that this is too long a jump, too drastic step and too quick a step to be taken. We want to reassure these people that we have not forgotten our roots. We have taken this decision after proper thinking. We had no time to convince the people about our decision. Sometimes in life you need to take quick steps.
Q: Aren’t you looking like an opportunistic politician who grabbed power?
The person who is against the formation of this government will label me as opportunistic. Person who understands what I am saying will feel that this step is taken in the right direction. But I will let my actions speak louder than words. I am Goan. I had assured a Goenkarwadi government, that does not mean we had a commitment towards Congress. Our aim is to take Goanness forward. We contested four seats and won on three seats. This is a good strike rate.
Q: What is your reaction to GF President Prabhakar Timble quitting the party protesting against your stand?
Timble is not as much in the dark as he claims to be. We had held a core meeting of the candidates before the results and what was spoken there, the crux of that decision he knows that. Today he is trying to join the bandwagon and show that he was shocked. I agree with him on one point that we could have taken two more days to take this decision. We could have taken people into confidence, but if we had to delay, the coalition which was cobbled up would have lost the chance to form the government. Subsequently, whatever he is speaking is also perhaps because he is being managed by somebody, by the person with whom he is having dinner nowadays. He is speaking more than the Congress is speaking.
Q: Do you feel you have fulfilled aspirations of Fatordekars?
The people from Fatorda constituency are having their MLA being inducted in the cabinet after 18 years. People of Fatorda had expectations in the form of development and jobs. I could satisfy it only by being in the cabinet. After the budget session, you go around and see what the people of Fatorda are talking.
Q: When you were in opposition you were setting benchmarks for the ministers. Will be able to touch that benchmark yourself now?
I don’t have experience in the ruling bench. I have commitment towards Goa. I will try to the best of my ability to perform. While doing this I will not compromise on my principles. I have to be responsible enough to perform. Give us some time, we will deliver.
