In the year 2012, former Gujarat CM Narendra Modi was BJP’s greatest asset. Being seen as the only leader who could catapult the party to the national stage, he was the most sought-after speaker at BJP rallies across Indian states, except Goa. Late Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, who praised Modi’s magnetic pull, consciously avoided the leader, because he felt that the Hindutva rhetoric would not work well on Goa’s soil; Modi’s speeches would estrange the 25 per cent Christian voters, on whose shoulders the BJP rested. The Modi vibe wasn’t perceived suitable for Goa’s “thinking voter”. 

Parrikar, candid and accessible as ever, shared his insight on Goa’s DNA, over a cup of tea with senior editor Sandesh Prabhudesai,  then leading Goa’s Prudent TV channel. Prabhudesai recalls off-the-record observations, which he hasn’t included in the first volume of his forthcoming book Ajeeb Goa’s Gajab Politics, to be published by Goanews.com early next month.