Goa Assembly honours Manohar Parrikar for elevation as defence minister

PANAJI: The Goa legislative assembly on Monday heaped lavish praise on union defence minister Manohar Parrikar for being elevated to the prestigious position. Legislators, cutting across parties, praised Parrikar and some even wished he would become the Prime Minister of India.

Speaking on a congratulatory motion moved in the Goa Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session, chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar described Parrikar as a "shining star on the political firmament." Recalling his long association with Parrikar, the chief minister praised Parrikar was his capabilities in governance, his personal integrity and his tireless work ethic. Parsekar said it was Parrikar who was responsible for the high development in Goa. "80% of the bridges in Goa are completed because of Parrikar. He also worked for enhancement of infrastructure in schools, colleges and other sectors," Parsekar said.

Former chief minister Digambar Kamat said Parrikar's elevation as defence minister of India was a unique honour to all Goans. Kamat urged the BJP state government to seize the opportunity, use Parrikar's good offices in Delhi to get more funds and schemes from the centre to Goa.

Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo praised Parrikar's leadership skills and said it was to the credit of Parrikar that six Christian MLAs were in the Goa BJP. Reminding that Parrikar was from his own village of Parra, Lobo wished that Parrikar will one day become Prime Minister of India. Sanguem BJP MLA Subhash Phaldesai, who moved the congratulatory motion, also hoped Parrikar would become Prime Minister of India.

Praise for Parrikar came from most but at least two independents laced their praise with sarcasm. Fatorda independent MLA Vijai Sardesai reminded that as Goa chief minister Parrikar had complained about the armed forces' proclivity for land in Goa. Parrikar should now use his position to correct that image, Sardesai said.

Bicholim independent MLA Naresh Sawal sounded bitter about Parrikar campaigning for BJP candidates in the recent Zilla Panchayat elections in Goa, held for the first time, on party lines. "It was like using an IPL player for the village Panchayat tournament. Don't get him for the municipal elections next. Don't undervalue him and put us to shame," Sawal said.

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