By Nisser Dias 30th May 2013
Earlier last week I was quite surprised to read former PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s statement to the media during a press conference. Of course he addresses the media less frequently since his ouster from active politics but most often it is for self glorification or clarification and resurrection of his political career. However his statement last week had different undertone, texture and it was sarcastically intelligent.
I say so because for the first time the Varca strongman was subtly taking digs at the electorate for keeping him and the Congress party and also his family out of the Legislative Assembly. He took pot-shots at the chief minister Manohar Parrikar for trying to appease the minority communities in Salcete with his frequent trips to Margao and neighbouring villages and offering sops. While praising the government for its decision to name the Collectorate building after late Mathany Saldanha, Churchill said that the BJP should also field a minority candidate in South Goa for the up-coming Lok Sabha election next year.
Elaborating further former chief minister of 19 days said that since the BJP government took over the administration of the state more than a year ago, prices of essential commodities has dropped. He made this statement knowing very well that the prices are still soaring and though chief minister Parrikar has abolished Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol, he has actually burdened the common man much more by raising the slab of other taxes. And with entry tax being imposed on non-state vehicles bringing essential commodities to Goa, Goans will have to dig deeper into their pockets.
Churchill Alemao surely must have engaged the services of a public relations (PR) company to tutor him on what, when, where and how to speak. This crosses my mind because he slyly touched a sore spot. Infact I would say he rubbed salt and vinegar into the grouse of the Christians and Muslims by stating that since BJP took over the reins of governance, beef is easily available. It is a known fact that both these communities sell and consume beef. Ironically the cat was let out of the bag when it was exposed that chief minister Manohar Parrikar happened to be the adviser of the NGO that knocked on the doors of the High Court to redress the grievances prevailing at the government abattoir. The message that Churchill was trying to send was, while the chief minister is trying to hoodwink the minority community with sops and friendliness, his long term hidden agenda is very much alive and he puts it into action not very obviously but deviously.
While the Congress party is yet to deliberate its failure to comeback to power in the state, Churchill seems to have introspected his and his family’s defeat. For a year now he seems to be the only member of the clan who addresses the media, there is no sign of Valanka Alemao, Yuri Alemao is fleetingly seen in his car, Joaquim Alemao is more in Malaysia than Goa. Churchill and Valanka both have stopped doles to the poor and needy. For them it is since they have not been elected there are also no poor and needy in Goa or maybe Goans become poorer when they are elected.
Apart from all this the new side of Churchill seems to be very attention-grabbing as his statements have a double edge to it. While he cannot antagonize the chief minister Manohar Parrikar directly due to the alleged scam in the PWD during Churchill’s tenure as PWD minister at the same time he cannot mount a scathing attack on the people and his future in politics lies in their hands and hence he is doing it ingeniously. That is the power of the long distance correspondence course that Churchill Alemao had enrolled himself in years back. He is finally putting it to great use.
Since this is his first time addressing the media so tactfully, he will take some time to convincingly answer the queries of the media. Infact he exposed himself when the media questioned him on his stand on the proposed airport at Mopa. His comment was that he started the movement against Mopa airport while he was in the Save Goa Front party. Ironically he forgot all about it after he rejoined the Congress immediately after the elections. He further said that he did not attend the hugely attended meeting at Lohia Maidan on 15th May 2013 because he would be made to sit in the audience. First and foremost Churchill Alemao had not only ditched the movement and the Goans but was convinced that both the airport could co-exist while he was in power. He had clearly stated that his SGF manifesto claimed that he would retain Dabolim airport and the media had called his bluff. But now having lost all his credibility and power he is desperately trying to gain sympathy of the people. And for the sake of Goa and Goans which he says he loves so much, what is there for Churchill to sit in the audience. He has to face the reality he is no more a VVIP but a simple common man.
He further went on to question the presence of ministers Alina Saldanha and Avertano Furtado at the meeting. Churchill demanded that they either force the chief minister to stop going ahead with the airport or quit his cabinet. When reminded that people also demanded the same thing of him while Digambar Kamat was pursuing the proposed airport he said that he expressed his willingness to resign from the cabinet.
Ironically resigning as a minister is one thing and threatening to do so is another. People saw through his rhetoric and false promises and sent him home. Churchill needs to do some homework on this issue.
Over the years we have experienced both the sides of Churchill Alemao. One as a commoner and the other as the elected representative of the people. And there is a vast difference. While not in power he attracts people with experience, wisdom and intelligence around him and seeks their advice on issues. After coming to power he distances himself from this group and gathers ‘Yes men and henchmen’ around him. People of Goa have seen this over the decades and are unlikely to be fooled again.
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