Opinion

A Political Rock Star

On January 27, I was glued to the television set watching the live telecast of the inauguration of the third Mandovi Bridge named Atal Setu. Termed as an engineering marvel, this bridge is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in India with a total length of 5.1 kilometers.

Apart from the razzle-dazzle of the event, I was paying keen attention to the demeanor of the ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, popularly referred to as Bhayi (older brother). It was his first public appearance after several months and as the camera focused on him, it was obvious that the ailment has taken a toll on the leader. However, despite the physical weakness, a never say die spirit was writ large on his face and the sheer enthusiasm (which his critics termed as 'hunger for power') was inspiring to say the least.

He appeared unperturbed by the trials (personal and political) while trying to inspire confidence in others. As he cheered the gathering asking, "How is the josh?" (a popular slogan from the recently released film Uri, the surgical strike, related to his tenure as India's Defense Minister) -- his first ever public utterance in months, he never forgot to take a dig at opponents by advising them to "remain positive."

He came about as an exemplary leader displaying passion and enthusiasm for the role as Chief Minister, thus striking an emotional chord with the crowd which roared back with the reply, "High Sir." He portrayed a great lot of passion about the task before him thereby generating positive emotional responses. It is this grit and determination of the ailing Chief Minister that enthused me to write a personal account.

We all know that a positive attitude is important to one's overall health, but here the Chief Minister suggested a bright positive outlook could play a major role in how someone handles cancer treatment. I remember reading a news article on his interaction with editors last year where he said that a strong will power has made him face the ailment with courage. He had also advised other politicians to look towards yoga to keep them healthy, however regretting the fact that he realized the importance of good health, only after the diagnosis.

When asked to mention charismatic leaders in Goa, people often list him as one. Those who hail his leadership style also mention his attributes of educational qualification -- graduate in metallurgical engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, recipient of the distinguished Alumnus Award by the IIT in 2001 and the first IIT alumnus to serve as MLA in the country.

Many hail him for his commitment to political work and a strong desire to make a change, and a forward-looking trait. It is no secret that BJP has no leader in Goa who can match Parrikar in terms of stature and administrative ability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to Parrikar as one of the jewels in his cabinet, calling him as an efficient and sharp minister that every Indian should be proud of.

As a journalist, I often had the opportunity to meet Parrikar. I remember this one particular meeting with Parrikar (this time as a political activist) along with a delegation headed by constitutional expert and celebrated Delhi based Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, somewhere in the January of 2013. It may be recalled that the Goa Lokayukta (first amendment) 2013 bill raked controversy as it sought to increase the fine for frivolous or vexatious complaints from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh -- was passed in the then assembly.

This followed uproar with experts demanding the withdrawal of the amendment citing reasons that it would refrain people from filing complaints and overall render the most hyped ombudsman toothless, further resulting in diluting the authority of the Lokayukta. Adv. Bhushan, who believed that the Goa Lokayukta Act should be further amended to bring it in tune with the Uttarakhand Act, was in Goa to meet Parrikar and discuss the same.

I was associated with India Against Corruption (IAC) movement (along with Adv. Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, late Adv. Satish Sonak, Arvind Kejriwal, Valmiki Naik; among others, when the BJP had promised IAC that if it comes to power, it would amend the Lokayukta bill on the lines of Uttarakhand bill and appoint a Lokayukta in 100 days. In the interest of the people of Goa, a few of us along with Adv. Bhushan met Parrikar with a request to abide by the poll promise. We also accepted the charge of preparing a draft of the new amendments to be incorporated in the bill and submitted it with in a period of 18 days, two days prior to the 20 days’ time frame given by the Chief Minister.

In an interaction over a cup of tea, after the crucial meeting, I distinctly remember Parrikar telling me, in the presence of Adv. Bhushan that he believed "good people should join politics in large numbers." He said that there were several people in our country with these qualities but due to the prevailing system were unwilling to join politics. "People often think of politics as the last haven of scoundrels but that Iam one, I must say that this is not entirely true," he said adding that there are "many politicians who are good."

He further felt that an environment has to be created where citizens would voluntarily participate in politics. He however added that one cannot maintain the tag of being "good" once in politics and gave an example of his self. Before the meeting, Adv. Bhushan had mentioned to me how people in political and social circles in Delhi appreciated Parrikar for his simplicity. Adv. Bhushan particularly reminded me of a viral picture of Parrikar riding pillion on a scooter while campaigning in Salcete.

While a scribe, I attended many of his political meetings, heard his speeches, saw him chair meetings and covered his campaigns. I often wondered how he did what he did with ease -- even while sounding "arrogant" many-a-times, but still connect with the audience and got people to buy in to his ideas. Much earlier, during the late 90s, in my initial journalism days, I remember meeting him (as Panaji MLA) almost every evening at the press room of the old secretariat which was housed in the historic Adil Shah Palace at Panaji.

He would interact freely with a group of journalists which comprised of Prakash Kamat, Kaka Singhbal, Promod Khandeparkar, Ashley Rosario, Jyoti Dhond, Sandesh Prabhudessai, Sanjay Dhavlikar, Sanjeev Verenkar, Rajendra Desai, Raju Nayak, Sitaram (Babu) Naik, late Jagdish Wagh, Vithaldas Hegde, among other prominent journalists. I remember joining the discussions and later head, along with the group led by Parrikar, to the secretariat canteen at the other end of the palace, for a cup of chai and garam mirchi (chilly pakoras), for extended discussions.

I hugely admired him as a person who worked compulsively, excessively hard and for long hours. His dedication to work and his simplicity inspired me. I've interviewed him for political stories on a number of occasions and have huge admiration for his ability to provide clarity. On the same note, I should admit that I've been a severe critic of many of his political actions and policies.

Supporters follow leaders for a multitude of reasons, but charisma is the most important one: it is this single criterion that defines leaders like Parrikar. By virtue of these leadership traits, many are compelled to believe in him. I've often seen, even senior journalists, getting excited about his vision and the means he adopts to achieve it. This makes me believe that the winning combo of passion and persuasiveness of the leader makes it awfully hard for many to resist him. Many in the journalism field term him a political rock star.

However, exemplary leadership is a hard ideal to live up to because of the responsibilities of the leadership role and the pressures that come with it. Despite severe criticism by political opponents and dwindling popularity among a section of Goans, Parrikar continues to be acknowledged as one of the tallest leaders in the state and has the distinction of having been the first politician from the country's smallest state to be appointed as a full-fledged union minister, when he served as the Defense Minister from 2014-2017.

Politics is ruthless. The current criticism and jibes against him and his ailing health by political opponents, merely to score brownie points, has been disturbing. I wish him good health and salute his unwavering will power, which reminds me of my late dad (both of them incidentally share the same birth dates -- December 13) whose most important characteristic was a strong will power.

This article first appeared in Gomantak Times, Goa on Feb 4, 2019.