Christians in Goa upset with BJP, but unsure of AAP & Congress
January 26, 2017 by admin
Filed under newsletter-india
Panaji, January 26, 2017: Manohar Parrikar, the Defence Minister of India and Goa’s former chief minister, is still the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) most popular face in the state, which goes to polls on February 4, thanks to his clean image and a down-to-earth approach in both public and private spheres.
Sensing the pulse of the state, where several people prefer him over incumbent Laxmikant Parsekar, Parrikar himself does not entirely rule out being at the helm of affairs if BJP wins the election for a second consecutive term.
“People have some wish, we will consider it after elections. I had the mandate last time, people know me, I have (a) connect with people. It will be (a) mandate for BJP and it may have my efforts,” Parrikar says.
Some Goans see the 61-year-old Parrikar as the person who called the shots in a BJP regime in the state, while others exuded confidence that if he was the chief ministerial candidate, the party will win again.
During the campaign for previous elections held in 2012, Parrikar had reached out to Christians, who constitute around 25 per cent of the population of Goa, and had given tickets to candidates from the community.
Several Christians, however, seemed upset with the Parsekar government, which took over after Parrikar’s move to Delhi, claiming promises made by the government have not been kept.
“What happened to the promises, like special status to Goa and closing casinos mentioned in the manifesto before BJP came to power in 2012,” asked Anthony, a Catholic who works as a manager in a restaurant near the beach in Candolim.
The disenchantment with the present regime, which took over after Parrikar moved to Delhi, is apparent. Fernandes, who works in a restaurant, said issues like beef had also contributed to the disillusionment in the party.
But Anthony is unsure who will form the next government: “Congress, which does not have a (chief ministerial) face, is still sleeping. The AAP may get some votes,” he said.
– dna