Goa, Apr 25 (TOI): Earlier this month, the political scene in Goa saw a peculiar situation arise in that Goa's tallest Congress leader, Pratapsingh Rane's son, who was elected on the Congress ticket, resigned from the party and joined the ruling BJP. What are the real reasons behind your decision?

The Congress party has lost its focus and vision in Goa. I was disillusioned. The party was not serious about ruling Goa. I don't want to talk negatively about the Congress all the time. What happened is in the past. We have to move ahead. In order to serve my people, I had to take a decision, which I did in consultation with them. It was a unique situation, but, at a time like this, I had to a take firm decision and I am convinced that what I've done is right. I have one agenda — to provide jobs and infrastructure to the people of Sattari and Usgao.

Is it not true that you have been inclined towards the BJP since last year, and that you were planning to join the party or support the party from the outside, for which you had floated a regional party — Sattari Yuva Manch. Reports said that there was some bonhomie between you and BJP's top leaders, months before the assembly polls.

Yes, I would have quit the Congress at the time, but there were delays in taking decisions. True, I was in discussion (with the BJP), but as I had completed two rounds of campaigning at the time, I did not quit the Congress. Otherwise, I would have gone (over to the BJP) then itself.

There are reasons for this. I was feeling isolated in the Congress. When I was working to bring victory to the Congress in five constituencies, some Congress block leaders were making statements against me. I felt that the party was not serious about coming back to power. Its leadership was not serious. Hence, it was time for me to quit the party and move forward.

I couldn't neglect Sattari. The people here need jobs and development and this will be achieved as Manohar Parrikar is a dynamic leader.

In the past Parrikar has been very critical of you, even to the extent of making charges of corruption against you. Responding to these allegation, once you even filed a defamation suit against him.

These (making charges against each other) are things of the past. We've put that behind us.

I know his (Parrikar's) capacity, and he knows mine. I have worked as chairman of Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) when he (Parrikar) was the CM (October 2000-February 2002).

Some say that you see a bright future for yourself in the BJP in the long run, as the party's top leaders may not want to continue beyond two terms.

No, I haven't thought of that. I am here to stay in BJP and contribute to its growth. I have come here to work as a loyal solder of the BJP. I have no ambition.

How did your father react to your decision of joining the BJP?

I never consulted my father. It's a political decision and has nothing to do with my family relations.

How do you look at the present situation in which politicians who got elected on the anti-BJP plank are now ministers in the Parrikar-led cabinet. Is this a new trend, one in which both sides forget their ideologies while the electorate is left facing a trust-deficit situation?

Today, more than any kind of narrow ideology, the ideology is employment and development, infrastructure and taking everyone along.

During discussions with your supporters, the minorities, who form a significant section in your constituency, had some apprehensions, including over the issue of qurbani.

Yes, I consulted them. We had a good discussion. Issues (like qurbani) were raised and I have taken the same up with the government. The CM has made a statement that qurbani would be allowed in certain areas.

My workers are aware that when I am their MLA, they don't have to worry. Their interests are protected and no harm will be caused to them.

Now that you are a minister in the BJP-led government, will you bring more MLAs from the Congress into the BJP fold?

I am not here to break any party.

Managing the state's finances has been a major concern over the years in Goa. This time, have you'll been assured of some financial package from the central government for Goa's development?

I think Manohar Parrikar knows how to manage the state's finances better. I agree that a lot of money can come to the state from the central schemes, for which each minister will have to work hard. We need to make strong presentations and avail of government funds for centrally-funded projects.

Some call the current dispensation 'a Congress government' with a different label, led by Manohar Parrikar, as most of the members in the cabinet were with the Congress. Your comment.

The coalition government will run well and will complete its full term. Parrikar has the capacity to deliver and take all members (of the coalition) along.