"Unmasking the Myth: Monserrate Punctures the Parrikar Legacy Balloon" – By Nisser Dias

In the realm of Goa's political theatre, Atanasio Babush Monserrate has boldly lifted the veil on the purported legacy of the late Manohar Parrikar, and he's not alone in his revelations. Joined by Govind Gaude, both esteemed ministers in the BJP government, they've taken it upon themselves to spill the beans on the corruption allegations surrounding Parrikar's pet projects, the smart city and the Atul Sethu bridge respectively.

As I've been an unabashed critic of the late Manohar Parrikar since time immemorial, bemoaning his 'know-it-all' demeanour, arrogant disposition, and autocratic modus operandi, I find myself nodding in agreement with these recent exposés. The eulogies about Parrikar's legacy and the grand ‘Memorial’ (Samadhi) erected by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have left me scratching my head.

What legacy are we referring to exactly?
From anointing to appointing the first non-Goan as Chief Minister, a curious choice in a state deeply proud of its 'Goenkarponn', to orchestrating the physical removal of opposition MLAs by disguising police officers as 'Marshals' in the Assembly. Parrikar's actions hardly paint the picture of a legend. They rather expose a mind tainted by corruption and an insatiable hunger for power.

The supposedly 'intelligent' Parrikar, who somehow missed the memo on the importance of 'Good Friday' and attempted to cancel it as a public holiday, also conveniently scheduled the IFFI closing ceremony to coincide with the feast of St. Francis Xavier, showcasing a not-so-subtle touch of communal politics.

Let's not forget his attempts to scrap Gandhi Jayanti as a holiday, hand over government schools to an RSS trust, and produce a documentary on the Inquisition to be included in history books for students – a series of decisions that reflect a rather biased and divisive agenda.

Citizens daring to criticize his regime were not spared. From orchestrated raids on respected figures like Dr. Francisco Colaco and businessman Datta Naik during 2002-2004, to the unresolved case of a school rape victim, Parrikar's tenure was far from a utopia.
Even in 2012, after his return to power, hooligans and goons were reportedly let loose on activists discussing the ill-effects of illegal mining in Margao, showcasing a darker side to the U-turn Chief Minister's rule.

Parrikar's promise to evict casinos from the Mandovi River morphed into a U-turn, with their numbers multiplying. The assurance that Mopa airport would mainly handle cargo now appears to be a distant dream, as Dabolim faces the threat of losing passenger flights.

As Opposition leader, Parrikar demanded the return of vast tracts of Goa's land held by the Navy and army, but as Defence Minister, he conveniently overlooked this opportunity. His plan to organize a defence expo at the Betul-Naqueri plateau raised concerns that it might end up as a gift to the armed forces.

The late Chief Minister's legacy, if we can call it that, paints a picture of a highly manipulative, vindictive, arrogant, and communal leader. While there's a societal norm to refrain from speaking ill of the departed, history records the misdeeds of cruel dictators, and Parrikar, in his own league, deserves scrutiny.

Supporters highlight the bridges built during his tenure as Chief Minister as a testament to his development legacy. However, these are merely infrastructural upgrades. Where is the evidence of human development? Bribes persist, citizens navigate multiple visits to government offices for basic services, and files move at a glacial pace. Is this progress?

Back in June 2016, I wrote an article titled "Manohar Parrikar Failed Panjim for Two Decades as its MLA." It pointed out the capital city's woes, submerged after a one-hour shower, and blamed Parrikar for neglecting Panjim during his 20-year stint as MLA.
Monserrate, as Revenue minister and Panjim MLA, seems to be onto something when he attributes the current mess in the capital city to Parrikar's legacy and raises questions about corruption during the late Chief Minister's tenure.

At the same time, I am not exonerating Monserrate of his sins of commission and omission in public life as a politician. He too has skeletons in his closet.

However it's time to re-evaluate the Manohar Parrikar myth, for sometimes, the truth reveals itself in unexpected outbursts.