Congress MP uses dialogue to describe Parrikar's work ethic

Panaji, Aug 11 (IANS) A Congress MP Saturday used a dialogue from the iconic film 'Sholay' to describe what he believed was the work ethic of the 12-member Goa cabinet, led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Goa's lone MP in the Rajya Sabha, Shantaram Naik said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government was a "one man" operation with the chief minister "controlling" all decisions.

"It is like the attitude of Gabbar Singh from 'Sholay'. At every stage we get reminded of 'kitne admi the' (how many persons were there?). In essence there is only one, Parrikar. The other ministers don't mean anything," Naik said, referring to the Ramesh Sippy blockbuster of the 1970s.

"Institutions are being destroyed in Goa and those who do not toe the line, whether they be members of panchayats, municipalities, cooperative institutions, sports bodies, are shown the door," Naik said at a media briefing.

"I hope the government does not impose conditions on the beneficiaries of 'Laadli Laxmi' that they will get the assistance only if they take the grooms chosen by BJP," Naik quipped.

The MP was referring to the scheme floated by the BJP government to curb female infanticide, where women who turn 18 are given Rs.1 lakh to cover marriage expenses.