Of mosquitoes, musketeers and repellants

Ever since he burst into mainstream politics in the 1980s, Churchill-bab's gaffes have attained the status of folklore -- his 'On Fatorda Ground' retort to Anupam Ghulati live on National TV is unforgettable. But now, that one will just fade away from memory with the Varca strongman's 'who are these three mosquitoes' classic of last week.

What did he exactly say?

Did he say who are these "three mosquitoes" or did he say who are these "three musketeers", drawing inspiration from the famous novel of Alexandre Dumas?

Several peers who attended that press conference in Margao swear that Churchill said the former. But there are a few who say he said "musketeers" and one English daily that shares a stronghold with Churchill, reported thus.

But whatever he said, either way, it suited his cause. And, the damage he wanted to do, was done.

The remark sent the musketeers/mosquitoes and their four companions in the 'Group of Seven' musketeers/mosquitoes in a tizzy, five of who are ministers. They boycotted the cabinet and let out an even shriller tantrum -- threatening to defeat the government in the House if Churchill-bab does not tender the 'celebrated apology'.

But the weekend saw another winged specie -- the Aviator Praful Patel -- pour cold water on all the musketeers/mosquitoes plans for vengeance, at a Sunday night dinner meeting in Mumbai. And now, all the issues, deals and wheels are to be sorted out on the eve of 'All Fools Day'.

The repellant effect

The debate on whether Churchill said 'mosquitoes' or 'musketeers' may go on for some more time but there's another indicator (apart from what a majority of journos heard and reported on ground zero) that makes me believe it was indeed 'mosquitoes'. Because, Churchill's comment worked like an instant repellant on one of the most wiliest of the G7.

Many of his predecessors may have been stung by the female version of a particular mosquito that stung mayhem in Goa's health sector for decades, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane scooted off to the land of Ayurveda no sooner Churchill's mosquitoes swarmed all over the papers the next morning.

The dimunitive scion of Sattari was conspicuous by his absence and his conversation in spurts on the speaker-phone at Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar's official residence, didn't sound very convincing to many a journo present there.

Jai Ramesh!

He may not be a darling of the media. In fact, he's been the butt of their criticism as hard stands he's taken on some macro-policy issues have triggered immense debate and negative publicity. But be it BT Brinjal, India's position at the Global Climate Talks or his hard stance on mining, Jairam Ramesh, has indeed acted firm and as the country's Environment Minister should.

Obviously, his two year ban on BT Brinjal must've hit the BT lobby, which is rumoured to have its tentacles spread high up there in Delhi's highest corridors, where it hurts most -- their coffers. So, the bad press isn't too intriguing. But for us here in Goa, his hard stand on mining is what matters and is rumoured to be one of the reasons for the mayhem in the political arena.

Apparently somebody very powerful recently bought an old, unoperated mine from a mining family and forwarded to the government the file to start mining there. It reached the desk of a top-gun in the government who sat on it far too long for the 'powerful' somebody's liking. The file finally got sent to Delhi for the statutory clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, where unfortunately for the 'powerful somebody', it got vetoed by Jairam Ramesh, who instead shot off a letter to the State imposing a moratorium on all new mines till such time as the state formally adopts a 'Mining Policy'. Upset with these turn of events, the 'powerful somebody' is said to have ignited the political fire.

Will it work? Unlikely, with Ramesh around.