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MONSERRATE, IN THY KINGDOM THEY COME By Mario Cabral e Sa The Navhind Times, Oct 31, 2004 THE METAPHOR is indeed apt; political corruption is a cancer gnawing at the vitals of the country. Just as in the case of cancer, there is no cure. Nor is it an epidemic affecting only the poor nations. US, France, England, Canada, Australia too have it. To fight corruption we have devised (and kept devising schemes: the CVC (Central Vigilance Commission), the Lok Ayukta, PILs (public interest litigation) in the higher court, each of which is either vulnerable or rendered impotent. On their part, the oncologists have flirted with "blockbuster" drugs, but have since realised that tumours that look identical under the microscope are turning out to be very diverse when examined at the genetic and molecular levels, and require completely different treatments. So it is with political corruption. But here it is the supposed victim, the voter, who abets it. Election after election -- and the latest at Poinguinim was no exception -- "clean candidates" are proffered but the electorate seems to just spurn them. Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, if hearing is believing, has surpassed in guile, money and muscle power all the dons Goa has known before. So, to Taleigao, his Kingdom, we went, on a Tuesday, the day anyone from his constituency with any problem -- physical, financial, legal or of any kind -- is welcome to his house. They spill over from the contiguous out-house; an improvised ante-chamber. A minion dispenses extra plastic chairs piled at corners, so that they don't tire standing up. But the stack of chairs are exhausted and there is barely standing space in the crowded pathways of his mansion, 'Casa Monserrate', and they shelter themselves as best as they can, under the shadow of trees and walls, holding parasols and shading their eyes with folded newspapers, even the documents they want to show as proof of their grievance. Do they have faith in their MLA? This would be a superfluous question. Eleven o'clock was my appointment, and at 11 sharp, a polite gentleman who happens to be the chairman of the Panaji Planning and Development Authority (Monserrate's main charge is Town Planning) escorts me to the parlour. Like everyone else, I take my shoes off and walk in socks. Out comes Babush, informally dressed, wearing clothes any male model would envy to display on the ramp, gracefully apologises for the two minute delay. Two other visitors, of status obviously, one of them Dr Britto, of the much written -- and spoken -- about casino "Chances", and soon to operate (his confirmation) the Turkish ship "Kappadocia" anchored at the Mandovi (more on that later) are requested by the host, "Please wait a few minutes (it turned out to be 45 minutes or so said my watch)". If personal experience is to be my yardstick, Monserrate, no doubt, is a charmer. How did he wean away Isidore from the Congress? "Actually, the proposal (to do an Isidore) had come to me from Luizinho. So I used the idea on Isidore, who is my friend." Are you that staunch a BJP supporter? "I am not staunch. I don't subscribe to their ideologies. I am for development. I think Parrikar is doing a good job. Later, I can't say. I'm not saying Parrikar won't be there. First of all, people will decide if I'll be there or won't be there. If I feel (like supporting him then) fine." Indeed, I comment, in politics there are no permanent friends, nor permanent enemies. Only permanent interests. What are his interests? "My permanent interest is my constituency." And Goa? "I don't even peep out of the (Taleigao) border." Does he aspire to be the CM? "No, not at all. I'm quite happy (with the position and the job satisfaction)." So, he has no all-Goa ambitions, neither an all-Goa vision. For now, make no mistake. "I had told Parrikar, I'll support you even if your government falls. I'll stay with you. I'll sit in the opposition. Perhaps I came into politics by mistake. But next election everything will be over." Then, what? He hadn't thought of it, yet. "There is still time." He reminds one of the connoisseur savouring his vintage wine, enjoying one sip at a time. Money power, muscle power, how much of either or both did he use in Poinguinim? "Now, they (the Congress) started voicing it. They started it because they are afraid of their High Command. Helping some one in need, that's different. I'm Isidore's friend. But (the charge) is totally false." Did you have any roots in Poinguinim? "None. It was only moral support." But for 15 days you were camping there, doing nothing else. "I never deviated from my work, being in office is not necessary. There are people to run it, see files, send to me whatever is urgent." He said that he was incorrectly reported as saying that he could buy Churchill Alemao or anyone else. Actually, in his words, "Churchill gave me a call and asked, 'Why are you backing Isidore? What I will do?', I said just sit down. Then he said, 'I too have a lot of loans during my campaign'..." That is what he told the journalist(s). Radharao Gracias was present. "Everyone is available but has his own price." And you, I ask? "I don't have a price. No one can buy me. It does not mean to say other people can't be bought. How big a heart you have that's more important. How I feel towards others. How deep you put your hand in your pocket." And that, I found on a quick survey in the village, even among those who are not particularly found of him, is the near-unanimous view. "Go to him and you won't come empty handed," a bhatkar (landlord) who has seen better days told me. I discussed with Monserrate the "Miramar sex scandal", but that will have to wait for another day. How much are you worth? Fifteen crore? Twenty? "I don't think so.... I had a lot of land, all that hill of Dona Paula. Now the land is gone, the Lord is here (points to his chest with an index finger). Only the 'kar' (of the old 'bhat-kar') is there." The Income Tax raid? "They found nothing. They came and went." And the files were seized? "Those are office files. I've been called for assessment. I'll go there next week." So, next week, the Income-Tax will have its questions. As for Monserrate, "I'll take my accountant. He knows (everything)." * * * Dr Britto has extended me an open invitation. "Come anytime, come have a meal with me, try out my chefs, investigate anything." He gives me his personal and cell numbers. Not the meal part of it, because I'm on diet, but it was a tempting invitation; maybe I'll avail of it sometime soon. As for now, Dr Britto confirms that he has bought the Kappadocia. It'll be a top-calls entertainment centre, all set for IFFI. It will have -- a big plus -- a cinema hall (to seat 200). "The CM is very pleased about it." Which means there'll be one floating cinema for IFFI, plus one more floating casino, and one more entertainment centre. Right now, Dr Britto tells me, "I discourage Goans from entering my casino. They talk too much." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. 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