Porvorim: Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday condoled death of former State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who expired on Sunday.
The House, which was summoned to conduct floor test for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, also condoled death of former Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and former Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh.
The House was chaired by Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo, who Presided over the proceedings in absence of the Speaker.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant choked with tears as he recalled Parrikar’s contribution towards his political career.
“Today, if I am MLA and sitting on this chair (of CM), I owe everything to Parrikar,” said Sawant as he fought back the tears.
He appealed all the members to strengthen his hands as Chief minister to fulfill dreams of Parrikar.
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said “words cannot express tremendous grief of passing away of visionary leader.”
“Let our silence in this House speak that words can’t. You are our eye in the sky,” Lobo said while passing the condolence motion.
The motion of condolence for Parrikar, D’Souza and Wagh was moved by BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar.
Speaking on the motion, Patnekar recalled how Parrikar worked for the development of the State.
“Parrikar was also responsible for the growth of BJP in the State. He would be remembered for bringing party to power,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, speaking on the motion, said that Parrikar made Goa proud by becoming Union Defence Minister of the State.
“We should emulate his style of working and also all the good virtues,” he said.
Kavlekar said that it was a skill that Parrikar displayed by running the government with coalition partners despite not winning mandate for 2017 Goa Assembly Election.
MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar recalled how in the year 2002, Parrikar during his tenure as Chief Minister took strong decision to have infrastructural facilities in the villages of the State.
“He took the agenda of development from urban to rural population,” he said.
Dhavalikar announced that the upcoming parallel bridge on Zuari river (located 15 kms away from here) would be named after late Manohar Parrikar.
He said that two huge pillars of the bridge will have portraits of Parrikar displayed on it.
Goa Forward Party MLA and State Minister Vijai Sardesai in his address said that “an era has come to an end.”
“Manohar means one who wins over the mind. This Manohar did not just win over the mind but heart of the State and the country,” he said.
The minister said that Parrikar had courage to smile in the face of inevitable. Sardesai said that Parrikar is the few politician who won praise from the Election Commissioner of India.
Sardesai said “We are here to take ahead legacy of Parrikar and take forward this government of Goenkarpoon (Goanness).”
MGP leader and minister Manohar Ajgaonkar recalled how Parrikar worked on increasing social indicators in the State by introducing welfare schemes.
BJP Minister Mauvin Godinho said that Parrikar’s personality was larger than life and his presence was felt in every decision that was taken while running the State.
“Parrikar impacted the life of citizens of State of Goa,” he said adding “it would be very difficult to get another Manohar Parrikar in the State.”
“When Parrikar called me to join the party I told him that I am getting the same feelings which I used to get with Rajiv Gandhi,” said Godinho, who had joined BJP before 2017 Assembly election.
Independent MLA and minister Govind Gawade said that the State cannot forget the contribution of Parrikar to the State.
Independent MLA and minister Rohan Khaunte recalled how Parrikar taught many of the MLAs how to behave in Assembly. “His advice has gone a long way to what we are today. He has groomed us to be a good administrator. Today we will miss him in the House,” he said.
Khaunte termed him as father of Goan modernization.
NCP MLA Churchill Alemao recalled Parrikar’s contribution towards the encouragement to football in the state. “He declared football as State sports and also provided financial help to the clubs,” he said.
Alemao termed Parrikar as a fighter who fought back such a disease for more than a year.
