It’s always good to be a CM: Francis D’Souza

I am 60 now, I am running out of time, I won't be in politics for long, give me a smooth exit," this is what Francis D'souza had conveyed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brass when TOI interviewed him in 2014 after he had made his intentions clear to vie for the chief minister's post. But, the party chose Laxmikant Parsekar for the coveted post.

D'souza, the then deputy chief minister, who holds some heavy portfolios in the present setup, says, "It's always good to be a chief minister. It's a good feeling and status symbol too. It's a highest achievement in the state.'' The five-time Mapusa MLA, known to set records of winning elections by huge margins, speaks to Keshav Naik as he clears the air over issues with leadership.

Has the party brass asked you to take a back seat owing to health reasons?

There is no question of party leadership asking me to take a back seat as I am a performer. If you check my record, you will never come across even a single instance wherein I am not in the public life. If my health issues were the problem, then I would have never volunteered to be a minister. My health did not come in the way of my public life. I don't want my people to suffer. I always worked for the betterment of the party and for the stability of the government.

Are you being sidelined where crucial policy decisions are concerned?

I don't think so, as hardly any high-level policy decisions have been taken by this government. I was holding important portfolios of health, revenue, town and country planning, and law. I was number 2 in the state government. Now, I am at number 4 and, as such, don't have much responsibilities.

Is the present state government a compromised entity compared to the last? Has the BJP compromised on its ethics to run the show?

Both are coalition governments, but we had a simple majority earlier. It was a BJP-based government wherein the Mahrashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) had two ministers. The present dispensation has more ministers from the coalition partners. Both were distinct entities with altogether different way of functioning. Now, however, we are more dependent on our alliance partners.

Honestly speaking, a coalition always works on a compromised formula. You cannot push your sole agenda. Even in portfolio allotment, coalition partners enjoy the first preference. The BJP is compromising on some ethical issues to run the government as it is out of compulsion.

You were in the chief minister's race when Manohar Parrikar left for Delhi. Do you believe that the party should have made you the chief minister, being a minority community member, and benefit out of it nationally?

Theoretically, it could have been a possibility, but practically what happened I don't know. It's my opinion that it's always good to be a chief minister. It's a good feeling and status symbol too. It's a highest achievement in the state. However, it's the party who finally takes a call on it.

Does the party give enough space for the minority community members?

In my opinion, there are only three BJP ministers in the present government: (Dabolim MLA) Mauvin Godinho, Manohar Parrikar, and me. Of these, two are from the minority community. The results of the 2017 assembly elections indicate that of the 13 elected BJP members, seven are from the minority. In the previous government there were six members from the minority community. Representation of minority communities is no longer an issue with the BJP. More than 50% ministries within the BJP are now with the minorities. It cannot be better than that. It is, in fact, a perfect situation for the minorities in the state.

In what way does the removal of security cover impact you?

When I was the deputy chief minister in the previous state government, I had willingly asked the chief minister to withdraw my security cover. In the present setup, I am not entitled to it and so there is no question of resentment over its removal. Escort or no escort, it doesn't make any difference to me.

In your absence, Parrikar visited Mapusa twice. No doubt, he is a chief minister and can move anywhere in the state. Have these visits created any flutter in the minds of your constituents?

I extended my stay by 25 days. In between, Parrikar visited Mapusa twice. I do not know the motives behind his visit and I do not want to comment on it. I had handed over my charge as the urban development minister to him during my absence.