Panaji: While Goa remained busy during the entire year for some reason or the other, the unexpected elevation of its Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to the post of Defence Minister surprised many.
Amid the discussion of ban on bikinis on the beaches, Goa's Transport Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar hogged limelight, after he demanded that the swim wear should be banned on the shorelines.
His demand was at the backdrop of unsuccessful entry of controversial organisation - Sri Ram Sene in the state. Sene was banned, but the bikini controversy continued to occupy news space.
The sudden decision of the Narendra Modi-led government to invite Parrikar to join the central ministry came as an unbelievable development. What followed the invitation was hectic political lobbying within the party, which was seen clearly divided between two groups.
Catholic leader Francis D'Souza's attempt to step into the shoes of Parrikar failed, while strong RSS lobby managed to crown Laxmikant Parsekar on the chair.
The exit of Parrikar also saw entry of Goa Vikas Party (GVP) legislator Fransisco Miccky Pacheco into the Cabinet. The former tourism minister was given low profile portfolios this time as he has to be contended with the departments of Archeology and Archives and Rural Development Agency.
Parsekar is now left with the several unfinished works including the phase wise resumption of the iron ore mining business in the state, which got a green nod from the Supreme Court lifting the two-year-long ban.
The seven iron ore-rich talukas of the state waited with the hope during the year that the mining would resume bringing back the much needed finances to them.
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