Practically no "severe problem" in Saligao? Far from it! FN DR WILLY PREDICTS SHORT LIFE FOR PARRIKAR GOVERNMENT Herald June18,2002
CALANGUTE, JUNE 17: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Dr Wilfred de Souza may be the only NCP candidate in the Assembly, but that does not stop him from reiterating that the NCP represents the third front, the best option for the people in Goa. A politician with considerable experience, Dr Willy has served as chief minister and deputy chief minister in the legislature. In an interview with Herald, Dr de Souza insists that if Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar could not survive with a two-party government for two years, the chances that a 'four party' government will last its fully five-year term seem bleak. QUESTION: What do you think of the present coalition government in Goa? It is a mixture of four different parties -- BJP, MGP, UGDP and an Independent. In the past when Parrikar headed a two-party government, he went on record to state that coalition governments cannot work. He tried his best to merge the MGP into the BJP. Now with a four-party coalition, he has gone from the frying pan to the fire. He has not improved the condition at all. QUESTION: But doesn't the BJP have the mandate to rule the state? No. The BJP does not have the majority of its own to rule Goa. QUESTION: What about the performance of the NCP? You did not get the expected results. Do you still think the NCP has a future in Goa? The NCP was keen to fight the communalism of the BJP and the corruption of Congress. We were almost certain that the Goan people would choose the third and better choice, that is the NCP. But for various reasons, people rallied around the Congress. The end result was that the BJP could get 17 seats, including Siolim and Tivim, where in normal circumstances, they would have lost. NCP is a national party with governments in three states and MLAs in eight states. QUESTIONS: Was it true that your party's main aim was to split the Congress votes, in order to teach them a lesson for snapping the proposed NCP-Congress alliance? Definitely not. It was I who proposed the alliance with the basic idea to defeat the communal forces. I tried my best but the Congress leaders had the bind hope that they could single-handedly achieve power. If today in the hour of crisis, Congress has to blame somebody, then they should only blame their leadership which had no foresight. QUESTION: What role will your party play in the present political situation in Goa? We will certainly continue to follow the principles of the NCP. After all, we are a middle force between the BJP and the Congress. QUESTION: Do you think this government will complete its full term? I don't think so. If Parrikar could not survive with a two-party government for two years, how can he do so with a four-party government? In a larger coalition, differences are always more. QUESTION: During elections, you had promised the people that Philip Neri would not support the BJP? I did not make any promise on his behalf, but he gave me in writing that he would not support the BJP and that he would be with us after getting elected. QUESTION: Isn't it interesting that you had to contest the elections with your former PA as a rival candidate? I won this war. There is nothing interesting about it. I won, he lost. Simple. QUESTION: What are the problems in Saligao constituency and how do you intend to address these problems when you are not in the government? There is practically no severe problem that Saligao constituency faces at present. I have taken care of the major requirements like roads, power, water supply and communications. If there is any other work, then I will solve it as I have done in the past. Even in the past when I was in the Opposition, I raised public issues in the assembly and got it solved. Being in the opposition is no reason to avoid solving problems. It is the will power that makes you understand and solve the problems in one's constituency. QUESTION: Sometime ago, you wanted to bring all socialist forces together to fight against the communal fundamentalists in Goa. Do you still intend to take a lead in this matter? I will try and do whatever I can. In the past too, I have tried my best to bring all like-minded people together. (ENDS) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
