Retirement is not on the horizon, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said while taking on the Congress for slamming the public celebration of his 60th birthday and asking his critics not to focus on his fashion faux pas but his performance as Defence Minister.
An emotional Parrikar was speaking at the public celebration of his birthday by the Goa unit of the BJP, which was attended by over 50,000 people who had arrived from every corner of Goa for the event.
“Some people want to me to (retire). But I will never go without completing the task allotted to me,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar in his speech reflected on various aspects of his life, including how he stumbled into politics, his struggle up the political ladder and how his modest habits were often misconstrued in the media.
Parrikar also did not spare the Congress, whose leaders over the last 10 days, have been criticising the public celebration of Parrikar’s birthday, claiming it was insensitive towards the recent tragic Chennai floods in which over 250 people died.
Parrikar, however, said that he was in no mood to accept the Congress charge, adding that as Defence Minister he had ensured that the armed forces responded with clinical efficiency to the natural disaster in the Southern metropolis.
“You (referring to Congress leaders) are telling me about ChennaiIJ The day news broke about heavy rain in Chennai, I monitored the situation till midnight to ensure that the army and the navy reached there on time,” Parrikar said, adding that the co-ordination of the armed forces with the National Disaster Relief Force was perfect.
“We rescued people from all over the country. Brought them out in a safe and sound way (from Chennai) and we need certification from the CongressIJ I am glad I got endorsement from you people,” Parrikar also said.
“You have shown immense love towards me by coming here and sitting patiently for three-four hours. When those people who think this is a bash, see photographs of 50,000 people at one place, it will be like being slapped on the face sixty times,” Parrikar said.
Reflecting on his political career, Parrikar said that he had strayed into politics, got stuck and then eventually learned to like it, thanks to the immense public support. “I had wandered into politics, but eventually I got stuck. And somewhere down the line I kept getting involved with people,” Parrikar said.
An emotionally choked Parrikar also said that the loss of his wife more than a decade back was a setback for him, but added that the love showered on him by his supporters pulled him through and helped make up for the tragic loss.
lashing out at his critics who often point fingers at his modest clothes, Parrikar said that his performance should be judged and not his dress sense.
“Why judge people from the clothes they wearIJ I have not joined the Army. I have not joined the Navy. I have not joined the Air Force. To join that it is difficult, it is easier to join politics,” Parrikar asked.