BPP Bypolls In the Aftermath: An Overview

Date

July 5, 2011

Post by

arZan

The below is an Op-Ed by Mickie Sorabjee, regular contributor to Parsi Khabar and a good friend and well-wisher of the website.

The moving hand writes and having written, moves on. The Fravashis of our visionary philanthropic forefathers have willed that the juggernaut of unprofessional conduct be brought to standstill and the house of BPP which is custodian of their collective philanthropic charities be set in order all over again. And so, as the twelfth century adage by William of Malmesbury goes, it has come to pass: “Vox Populi, Vox Dei.

Independent Muncherji Cama has been elected to the 7th vacant seat as the new Trustee of the Bombay Parsee Panchayet and emerged victorious with a count of 5134, over-scoring his main WAPIZ rival by 1624 votes who garnered 3510 ballots out of an overall total of 8829 with 28 ballot papers declared invalid. Candidates 1 and 4 secured 101 and 28 votes respectively. Except for Rustom Baug where the lady acquired a meager 169 votes more than him, Cama’s tally outran hers at all the four other polling centers. Moving northbound the winner’s steadily ascending leads were Khareghat Colony 538 votes, Cusrow Baug 975, Rustom Baug 806 (a negligible dip), DPC 1296, Bharucha Baug 1624 to clinch the winning spot first past the finishing line.

In a lighter vein one may joke that living up to their gastronomic genes even at election time, members of our electorate heartily opted for the all time Parsee hot favorite, the “sweet rotund potato” who wedged out his lean competition. The uncouth dig by WAPIZ referring to Mr Cama’s plus size that drew criticism from civilized quarters, proved to be to the advantage of the targeted contender as he sportingly laughed it off and wittily retorted to it at all campaign meetings. But on a more serious note it has to be conceded that responsible voters have saved the day for our apex body by showing that some among us are still independent thinkers with minds of our own, befitting a progressive community.

From day one since declaration of nominations up until the last vote was counted, WAPIZ has badly miscalculated and botched its own chances at the hustings. To begin with, their pitting Anahita Desai, a little known quantity outside their organization, against Muncherji Cama a guru of Charity Trust management. Unlike the David of folklore who outwitted Goliath, this WAPIZ pawn in a larger scheme of vested interest motivations stood no chance against a gentle giant who towered head and shoulders over her (pun unintended) in credentials and suitability for post of high office to BPP trusteeship. Just a glance at Muncherji’s supporters from among the who’s who in the Parsee community across every profession and walk of life, as comparable to Anahita Desai’s followers from only within the WAPIZ ideology sect, speaks for itself. The biggest blow coming from support withdrawals amid allegations of fraudulent obtaining of said signatures/names by WAPIZ leaders.

The bombastic WAPIZ campaign trail was badly flawed and gave a consistent opposition enough fodder to merrily pick on. The cacophonous and highly slanderous WAPIZ ad page dug its own grave with disreputable journalism entrusted to unethical pens that instead of scoring brownie points for the masters had the contrary effect of showing the community in poor light in a national daily, week after week, which eventually backfired on them. Overzealous WAPIZ diehards who individually tilted at windmills in their closed group discussions only added to their diminishing status.

Although Munchi Cama always dignifiedly spoke only on relevant BPP issues confronting the community welfare without personal mudslinging and won purely on superior merit and his impeccable integrity, Chairman Dinshaw Mehta’s role in supporting his candidature and campaigning shoulder-to-shoulder with him till the final moments, cannot remain unacknowledged. Chairman Dinshaw achieved a hat-trick and once again proved that he is a past master in influencing community masses and whoever he backs invariably comes out trumps. His son Viraf Mehta’s open letter to the community post the disgraceful Rustom Baug ruckus put the final nail in the WAPIZ aspirations’ coffin depriving them an opportunity of fluttering the truce making joint statement between Dinshaw Mehta and WAPIZ ally Jimmy Mistry as a victory flag, and turned away even those among its once ardent supporters. Trustee Arnavaz Mistry’s contribution cannot be overlooked. Besides, Team Cama put up a splendid low-key issue based press campaign from the wings, even as grass-root workers slogged hard throughout the grueling election trail in the last six weeks. All in all, a commendably coordinated team effort.

With elections concluding on a positive note and the BPP derailed train on its way to being put back on track, it is still early days to presume everything will be hunky-dory on board and wish that community will yet not be taken by surprise by more tumbling skeletons from the BPP closet. However it is time to learn from past blunders and move ahead, looking forward to better governance in a harmonious environ in the overall interest of community good.

Yours truly,
Mickie Sorabjee
July 5, 2011.

80 Comments

  1. Farsak.

    Mickie, Though I fully agree with your entire write up, I feel you have spoken up on behalf of a large number of Parsee Zoroastrians in para 5 of this Op Ed about the distasteful comments being made against all and sundry by the WAPIZ Editorial Team. This Editorial Team played a “significant’ role in depriving  their candidate of support from even supporters of WAPIZ and those who were neutral and not otherwise  favourably inclined towards Manchi. Such voters had no option but to express a negative vote against WAPIZ.

  2. Farsak.

    Mickie, Though I fully agree with your entire write up, I feel you have spoken up on behalf of a large number of Parsee Zoroastrians in para 5 of this Op Ed about the distasteful comments being made against all and sundry by the WAPIZ Editorial Team. This Editorial Team played a “significant’ role in depriving  their candidate of support from even supporters of WAPIZ and those who were neutral and not otherwise  favourably inclined towards Manchi. Such voters had no option but to express a negative vote against WAPIZ.

  3. Farsak.

    Mickie, Though I fully agree with your entire write up, I feel you have spoken up on behalf of a large number of Parsee Zoroastrians in para 5 of this Op Ed about the distasteful comments being made against all and sundry by the WAPIZ Editorial Team. This Editorial Team played a “significant’ role in depriving  their candidate of support from even supporters of WAPIZ and those who were neutral and not otherwise  favourably inclined towards Manchi. Such voters had no option but to express a negative vote against WAPIZ.

  4. Pemino

    He is not that old. Please call him Munchi instead of the obnoxious Muncherji.

  5. Pemino

    He is not that old. Please call him Munchi instead of the obnoxious Muncherji.

  6. Pemino

    He is not that old. Please call him Munchi instead of the obnoxious Muncherji.

  7. Kingconan1961

    what is this a pat Munchi on his back campaign, let him show his worth by actions not high words.
    all other trustees have failed  to show their worth. Lets see what he can do.

  8. Masco

    Would says Congrats to Dinshaw & Well done to Munchi….Jai Ho

  9. Kingconan1961

    what is this a pat Munchi on his back campaign, let him show his worth by actions not high words.
    all other trustees have failed  to show their worth. Lets see what he can do.

  10. Kingconan1961

    what is this a pat Munchi on his back campaign, let him show his worth by actions not high words.
    all other trustees have failed  to show their worth. Lets see what he can do.

  11. Kingconan1961

    what is this a pat Munchi on his back campaign, let him show his worth by actions not high words.
    all other trustees have failed  to show their worth. Lets see what he can do.

  12. Masco

    Would says Congrats to Dinshaw & Well done to Munchi….Jai Ho

  13. Masco

    Would says Congrats to Dinshaw & Well done to Munchi….Jai Ho

  14. Barak Aga

    The Zoroastrian religion is safe for the moment.
    Now it is the WAPIZ which is in danger of extinction.
    The elections should be stretched over a period of 6 months.
    The code of conduct should be amended, and it must be made mandatory for each candidate to ply the electorate with breakfast, lunch and dinners – Home Delivered.
    The next elections should be staged outside Bombay / Mumbai, so that the Mumbai Zoroastrians have the opportunity of picnicking at the candidates’ expense. Bangkok, Singapore or Dubai should be the voting centres for the next elections.

  15. Well- Wisher

    wapiz are novices at fighting elections. They lost the election the day they announced Anaita as a candidate. It showed there are no leaders available in the organisation. Wapiz needs to put its ears to the ground.

  16. BAPU

    Agreed that Muncherji Cama stood as an independent candidate, but he had full support of the most seasoned & senior trustee, Dinshaw Mehta, whose mere presence can influence the voting pattern.
    Now lets hope Muncherji Cama, lives up to the faith and trust reposed in him by those who have elected him.

  17. Barak Aga

    The Zoroastrian religion is safe for the moment.
    Now it is the WAPIZ which is in danger of extinction.
    The elections should be stretched over a period of 6 months.
    The code of conduct should be amended, and it must be made mandatory for each candidate to ply the electorate with breakfast, lunch and dinners – Home Delivered.
    The next elections should be staged outside Bombay / Mumbai, so that the Mumbai Zoroastrians have the opportunity of picnicking at the candidates’ expense. Bangkok, Singapore or Dubai should be the voting centres for the next elections.

  18. Barak Aga

    The Zoroastrian religion is safe for the moment.
    Now it is the WAPIZ which is in danger of extinction.
    The elections should be stretched over a period of 6 months.
    The code of conduct should be amended, and it must be made mandatory for each candidate to ply the electorate with breakfast, lunch and dinners – Home Delivered.
    The next elections should be staged outside Bombay / Mumbai, so that the Mumbai Zoroastrians have the opportunity of picnicking at the candidates’ expense. Bangkok, Singapore or Dubai should be the voting centres for the next elections.

  19. Well- Wisher

    wapiz are novices at fighting elections. They lost the election the day they announced Anaita as a candidate. It showed there are no leaders available in the organisation. Wapiz needs to put its ears to the ground.

  20. Well- Wisher

    wapiz are novices at fighting elections. They lost the election the day they announced Anaita as a candidate. It showed there are no leaders available in the organisation. Wapiz needs to put its ears to the ground.

  21. BAPU

    Agreed that Muncherji Cama stood as an independent candidate, but he had full support of the most seasoned & senior trustee, Dinshaw Mehta, whose mere presence can influence the voting pattern.
    Now lets hope Muncherji Cama, lives up to the faith and trust reposed in him by those who have elected him.

  22. BAPU

    Agreed that Muncherji Cama stood as an independent candidate, but he had full support of the most seasoned & senior trustee, Dinshaw Mehta, whose mere presence can influence the voting pattern.
    Now lets hope Muncherji Cama, lives up to the faith and trust reposed in him by those who have elected him.

  23. Mickie Sorabjee

    Voters gradually realized that WAPIZ was not exactly pure as driven snow, after riding a high moral horse on all things “race and religion”,  WAPIZ lost because their nominee could not fulfil the principal criteria required of an election candidate that like Caesar’s wife even she has to be above suspicion. Their judgmental derogatory weekly WAPIZ page cooked its own goose and gave opposition camp ammunition to pick holes whereby their candidate’s credibility was torn to shreds.

  24. Mickie Sorabjee

    Voters gradually realized that WAPIZ was not exactly pure as driven snow, after riding a high moral horse on all things “race and religion”,  WAPIZ lost because their nominee could not fulfil the principal criteria required of an election candidate that like Caesar’s wife even she has to be above suspicion. Their judgmental derogatory weekly WAPIZ page cooked its own goose and gave opposition camp ammunition to pick holes whereby their candidate’s credibility was torn to shreds.

  25. Mickie Sorabjee

    Voters gradually realized that WAPIZ was not exactly pure as driven snow, after riding a high moral horse on all things “race and religion”,  WAPIZ lost because their nominee could not fulfil the principal criteria required of an election candidate that like Caesar’s wife even she has to be above suspicion. Their judgmental derogatory weekly WAPIZ page cooked its own goose and gave opposition camp ammunition to pick holes whereby their candidate’s credibility was torn to shreds.

  26. Contradhongi

     A very valid point has been raised by those within WAPIZ ot those sympathetic to its ideology viz why a relative novice –  was chosen to be fielded and why old war horses of WAPIZ were  reluctant to enter the fray. Obvious answer could be that they were over confident that anything with WAPIZ  tag will garner support, alternatively the old guards were scared of being paid in their own coin with the language of what you say derogatory WAPIZ page. The latter assumption seems to be a more plausible reason.                                 

  27. Contradhongi

     A very valid point has been raised by those within WAPIZ ot those sympathetic to its ideology viz why a relative novice –  was chosen to be fielded and why old war horses of WAPIZ were  reluctant to enter the fray. Obvious answer could be that they were over confident that anything with WAPIZ  tag will garner support, alternatively the old guards were scared of being paid in their own coin with the language of what you say derogatory WAPIZ page. The latter assumption seems to be a more plausible reason.                                 

  28. RATHESTAR.

    These dhongees are saying to day in their weekly fortnightly KAKLAT that money power was misused during elections. Do they  want us to assume that F.P.J. prints their blabber free of cost? Is not Weekly / fortnightly nuisance  a waste of  money. Money made by  charging higher prices to consumers of Rasna. This case needs to be reported to MRTP Commission.
    Joke going around is that hereafter the Scheme of Trustee elections will so amended that either ONLY WAPIZ members abe allowed to vote or consider   as elected a person who garners lesser votes!

  29. RATHESTAR.

    These dhongees are saying to day in their weekly fortnightly KAKLAT that money power was misused during elections. Do they  want us to assume that F.P.J. prints their blabber free of cost? Is not Weekly / fortnightly nuisance  a waste of  money. Money made by  charging higher prices to consumers of Rasna. This case needs to be reported to MRTP Commission.
    Joke going around is that hereafter the Scheme of Trustee elections will so amended that either ONLY WAPIZ members abe allowed to vote or consider   as elected a person who garners lesser votes!

  30. RATHESTAR.

    These dhongees are saying to day in their weekly fortnightly KAKLAT that money power was misused during elections. Do they  want us to assume that F.P.J. prints their blabber free of cost? Is not Weekly / fortnightly nuisance  a waste of  money. Money made by  charging higher prices to consumers of Rasna. This case needs to be reported to MRTP Commission.
    Joke going around is that hereafter the Scheme of Trustee elections will so amended that either ONLY WAPIZ members abe allowed to vote or consider   as elected a person who garners lesser votes!

  31. Zerxes Dordi.

    How to make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte
    of WAPIZ Editorial Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides did use the clout of
    money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of Conduct. Did they not
    say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this particular election? Is
    speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting Religion?

    2. To add to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team
    has the wisdom to allege use of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards?
    Analogically, will anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of the Baug?

    3. Who paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in
    various Baugs held by the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate
    promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he
    hesitated to declare the same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility
    if not integrity?
    As rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These very elements had the wisdom of questioning the
    authenticity of Online Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on
    Litigation. Now when the same persons have 
    not voted for a person who would have brought further agony to the community,
    why are they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ‘WE HAVE THE MAJORITY
    AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECXTIONS’. So why now
    shed crocodile tears?

    I would have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J.
    or JAME but would they publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?
    My earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of  all Parsees for granted.
    If they want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts to have the courage to face the electorate and not just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the  electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board Meetings. It is time to improve your image by doing constructive work instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only a nitwit.

  32. Zerxes Dordi

    How to
    make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte of WAPIZ Editorial
    Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides
    did use the clout of money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of
    Conduct. Did they not say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this
    particular election? Is speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting
    Religion?

    2. To add
    to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team has the wisdom to allege use
    of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards? Analogically, will
    anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of
    the Baug?

     

    3. Who
    paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in various Baugs held by
    the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next
    point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he hesitated to declare the
    same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility if not integrity?

    As
    rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing
    F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These
    very elements had the wisdom of questioning the authenticity of Online
    Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on Litigation. Now when the same
    persons have  not voted
    for a person who would have brought further agony to the community, why are
    they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ‘WE HAVE THE MAJORITY AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECTIONS’. So why now shed crocodile tears?

    I would
    have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J. or JAME but would they
    publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?

    My
    earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that
    are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of
     all Parsees for granted.

    If they
    want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of
    their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts developed
    cold  feet to face the electorate and not
    just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of
    Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the
     electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a
    Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board
    Meetings. The loss of this lady is NOT a reflection on her credentials but on
    lurking suspicions on the motives of senior Trustees of WAPIZ. It is time to
    improve  the image  of your cabal by doing constructive work
    instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only
    a nitwit.

     

  33. Zerxes Dordi.

    How to make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte
    of WAPIZ Editorial Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides did use the clout of
    money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of Conduct. Did they not
    say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this particular election? Is
    speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting Religion?

    2. To add to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team
    has the wisdom to allege use of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards?
    Analogically, will anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of the Baug?

    3. Who paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in
    various Baugs held by the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate
    promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he
    hesitated to declare the same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility
    if not integrity?
    As rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These very elements had the wisdom of questioning the
    authenticity of Online Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on
    Litigation. Now when the same persons have 
    not voted for a person who would have brought further agony to the community,
    why are they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ’WE HAVE THE MAJORITY
    AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECXTIONS’. So why now
    shed crocodile tears?

    I would have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J.
    or JAME but would they publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?
    My earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of  all Parsees for granted.
    If they want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts to have the courage to face the electorate and not just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the  electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board Meetings. It is time to improve your image by doing constructive work instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only a nitwit.

  34. Zerxes Dordi.

    How to make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte
    of WAPIZ Editorial Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides did use the clout of
    money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of Conduct. Did they not
    say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this particular election? Is
    speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting Religion?

    2. To add to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team
    has the wisdom to allege use of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards?
    Analogically, will anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of the Baug?

    3. Who paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in
    various Baugs held by the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate
    promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he
    hesitated to declare the same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility
    if not integrity?
    As rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These very elements had the wisdom of questioning the
    authenticity of Online Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on
    Litigation. Now when the same persons have 
    not voted for a person who would have brought further agony to the community,
    why are they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ’WE HAVE THE MAJORITY
    AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECXTIONS’. So why now
    shed crocodile tears?

    I would have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J.
    or JAME but would they publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?
    My earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of  all Parsees for granted.
    If they want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts to have the courage to face the electorate and not just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the  electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board Meetings. It is time to improve your image by doing constructive work instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only a nitwit.

  35. Zerxes Dordi

    How to
    make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte of WAPIZ Editorial
    Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides
    did use the clout of money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of
    Conduct. Did they not say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this
    particular election? Is speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting
    Religion?

    2. To add
    to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team has the wisdom to allege use
    of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards? Analogically, will
    anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of
    the Baug?

     

    3. Who
    paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in various Baugs held by
    the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next
    point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he hesitated to declare the
    same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility if not integrity?

    As
    rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing
    F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These
    very elements had the wisdom of questioning the authenticity of Online
    Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on Litigation. Now when the same
    persons have  not voted
    for a person who would have brought further agony to the community, why are
    they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ’WE HAVE THE MAJORITY AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECTIONS’. So why now shed crocodile tears?

    I would
    have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J. or JAME but would they
    publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?

    My
    earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that
    are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of
     all Parsees for granted.

    If they
    want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of
    their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts developed
    cold  feet to face the electorate and not
    just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of
    Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the
     electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a
    Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board
    Meetings. The loss of this lady is NOT a reflection on her credentials but on
    lurking suspicions on the motives of senior Trustees of WAPIZ. It is time to
    improve  the image  of your cabal by doing constructive work
    instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only
    a nitwit.

     

  36. Zerxes Dordi

    How to
    make a pretence of injured innocence seems to be the forte of WAPIZ Editorial
    Team. In the FPJ WAPIZ page of to -day they have had the wisdom  to allege role of money power. Yes both sides
    did use the clout of money. BUT what stopped WAPIZ from agreeing to a Code of
    Conduct. Did they not say that Code of Conduct be brought in place after this
    particular election? Is speaking lies a part of preserving and protecting
    Religion?

    2. To add
    to their pretence of innocence, the Editorial Team has the wisdom to allege use
    of muscle power. May one ask them,  who was the paymaster of the Security guards? Analogically, will
    anybody tolerate a security guard  employed by a Landlord attacking a  tenant of
    the Baug?

     

    3. Who
    paid for Dinners and Food Packets in Voter’s Meetings in various Baugs held by
    the losing candidate? Was this not  abuse of money power?

    4.Next
    point is, did not husband of the losing Candidate promised  in 2008 to disclose  his own Assets if Elected? Why has he hesitated to declare the
    same. Does this not reflect adversely on his own credibility if not integrity?

    As
    rightly pointed out by one person calling himself Rathestar, is not distributing
    F.P.J. free in Parsee houses, a use, nay misuse of money power?

    5.These
    very elements had the wisdom of questioning the authenticity of Online
    Petitions asking B.P.P. not to squander money on Litigation. Now when the same
    persons have  not voted
    for a person who would have brought further agony to the community, why are
    they complaining?. Did they not utter that time, ’WE HAVE THE MAJORITY AND  YOU PROVE YOUR  SUPPORT BASE IN THE ELECTIONS’. So why now shed crocodile tears?

    I would
    have raised these posers to WAPIZ directly in F.P.J. or JAME but would they
    publish this and do they have  the requisite honesty to reply?

    My
    earnest suggestion to WAPIZ is not to assume that all the copies of F.P.J. that
    are distributed are read by ALL and not to take the intelligence level of
     all Parsees for granted.

    If they
    want a second chance, they need to introspect the reasons for the defeat of
    their rather ‘raw’ candidate and inform their senior stalwarts developed
    cold  feet to face the electorate and not
    just endorse  and praise a housewife with no experience of working of
    Trusts. We already have two females in the garb of social workers and the
     electorate did not feel the justification of a third social worker as a
    Trustee that too a spouse of a Trustee known for poor attendance in Board
    Meetings. The loss of this lady is NOT a reflection on her credentials but on
    lurking suspicions on the motives of senior Trustees of WAPIZ. It is time to
    improve  the image  of your cabal by doing constructive work
    instead of going haywire in making reckless allegations which can convince only
    a nitwit.

     

  37. xyz

    I sincerely feel that yazdi, khojestee and jimmy should not be frustrated like dadrawalla and i sincerely hope that they do not resign otherwise again we will have a rigmarole of elections. parsees are now fed up of dishonesty.

  38. xyz

    was there any election code of conduct ??? I don’t think so. this elections were actually a BIG FARCE. Why trustees have still not declared their assets yet ??? There is no transparency at-all in BPP.and WAPIZ.

  39. Barak Aga

    Did the people who enjoyed the free meal, vote for the candidate who fed them?
    Did those who were carted from villages in Gujarat vote for the candidate who sponsored their trip, or did they merely enjoy the free bus ride, the free lunch, and return?
    Did the candidate manage to turn diners in to voters?
    Rumour has it that in the very first election, those who were bussed in from villages in Gujarat did not possess voter registrations.
    Now till the next elections Zarthostis in Mumbai will have to cook their own meals.
    In these inflationary times, we wish elections were held more often, perhaps every month.

  40. Barak Aga

    Did the people who enjoyed the free meal, vote for the candidate who fed them?
    Did those who were carted from villages in Gujarat vote for the candidate who sponsored their trip, or did they merely enjoy the free bus ride, the free lunch, and return?
    Did the candidate manage to turn diners in to voters?
    Rumour has it that in the very first election, those who were bussed in from villages in Gujarat did not possess voter registrations.
    Now till the next elections Zarthostis in Mumbai will have to cook their own meals.
    In these inflationary times, we wish elections were held more often, perhaps every month.

  41. Barak Aga

    Did the people who enjoyed the free meal, vote for the candidate who fed them?
    Did those who were carted from villages in Gujarat vote for the candidate who sponsored their trip, or did they merely enjoy the free bus ride, the free lunch, and return?
    Did the candidate manage to turn diners in to voters?
    Rumour has it that in the very first election, those who were bussed in from villages in Gujarat did not possess voter registrations.
    Now till the next elections Zarthostis in Mumbai will have to cook their own meals.
    In these inflationary times, we wish elections were held more often, perhaps every month.

  42. xyz

    why my comment has still not come.

  43. xyz

    why my comment has still not come.

  44. xyz

    why my comment has still not come.

  45. Phiroz.

    The name WAPIZ  by itself antagonizes many level headed Parsees because of duplicity of its Trustees and placing the community in a situation of being lampooned by other community members since they continue their senseless tirade against those who disagree  with them in a secular paper. The bigger irritants for educated Parsees is the loud mouth from Ahmedabad who thinks that allegiance of all priests has a price tag and his Ashodad  covers will induce them to support his agenda. In fact the self styled high Priests should realise  that their own image or the remnants of it is being besmirched by their association with this moneybag. The victory for Cama is not solely due to his campaign or his image but it is a negative verdict on WAPIZ and its antics.

  46. Phiroz.

    The name WAPIZ  by itself antagonizes many level headed Parsees because of duplicity of its Trustees and placing the community in a situation of being lampooned by other community members since they continue their senseless tirade against those who disagree  with them in a secular paper. The bigger irritants for educated Parsees is the loud mouth from Ahmedabad who thinks that allegiance of all priests has a price tag and his Ashodad  covers will induce them to support his agenda. In fact the self styled high Priests should realise  that their own image or the remnants of it is being besmirched by their association with this moneybag. The victory for Cama is not solely due to his campaign or his image but it is a negative verdict on WAPIZ and its antics.

  47. Phiroz.

    The name WAPIZ  by itself antagonizes many level headed Parsees because of duplicity of its Trustees and placing the community in a situation of being lampooned by other community members since they continue their senseless tirade against those who disagree  with them in a secular paper. The bigger irritants for educated Parsees is the loud mouth from Ahmedabad who thinks that allegiance of all priests has a price tag and his Ashodad  covers will induce them to support his agenda. In fact the self styled high Priests should realise  that their own image or the remnants of it is being besmirched by their association with this moneybag. The victory for Cama is not solely due to his campaign or his image but it is a negative verdict on WAPIZ and its antics.

  48. xyz

    Each and every trustee must declare their personal balance sheets as on 31.03.2011 in jame jamshed immediately. BPP must give online position of pending housing applications.how many more years will take to bring the waiting list to zero. Out of 5,000 flats how many are kept locked for parsees staying abroad. How many more new flats can be constructed. How many court cases are going on between BPP and tenants and how can they be reduced by settling the matter out of court. Third child assistance must be paid Rs 3,000/- with immediate effect for all old cases also. What is BPP doing for removing unemployment and helping Entrepreneurs to start new business.Why working capital is not given to unemployed parsees to start new business. Overall transparency must be there. we have elected trustees and they are answerable to parsi voters.

  49. Dorab.

    The thought that occurs to my mind is who would have been better off if Dadrawalla had not been pushed to the wall so as to compel him to resign?  The Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    The next hypothetical question is who would have been better off if a consensus candidate had been agreed upon? Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    For both faults, the community was compelled to expend on Election which amount could have been better spent on welfare of the downtrodden.Will both WAPIZ and Chairman and others in the Community learn a lesson?

  50. xyz

    Each and every trustee must declare their personal balance sheets as on 31.03.2011 in jame jamshed immediately. BPP must give online position of pending housing applications.how many more years will take to bring the waiting list to zero. Out of 5,000 flats how many are kept locked for parsees staying abroad. How many more new flats can be constructed. How many court cases are going on between BPP and tenants and how can they be reduced by settling the matter out of court. Third child assistance must be paid Rs 3,000/- with immediate effect for all old cases also. What is BPP doing for removing unemployment and helping Entrepreneurs to start new business.Why working capital is not given to unemployed parsees to start new business. Overall transparency must be there. we have elected trustees and they are answerable to parsi voters.

  51. xyz

    Each and every trustee must declare their personal balance sheets as on 31.03.2011 in jame jamshed immediately. BPP must give online position of pending housing applications.how many more years will take to bring the waiting list to zero. Out of 5,000 flats how many are kept locked for parsees staying abroad. How many more new flats can be constructed. How many court cases are going on between BPP and tenants and how can they be reduced by settling the matter out of court. Third child assistance must be paid Rs 3,000/- with immediate effect for all old cases also. What is BPP doing for removing unemployment and helping Entrepreneurs to start new business.Why working capital is not given to unemployed parsees to start new business. Overall transparency must be there. we have elected trustees and they are answerable to parsi voters.

  52. Dorab.

    The thought that occurs to my mind is who would have been better off if Dadrawalla had not been pushed to the wall so as to compel him to resign?  The Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    The next hypothetical question is who would have been better off if a consensus candidate had been agreed upon? Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    For both faults, the community was compelled to expend on Election which amount could have been better spent on welfare of the downtrodden.Will both WAPIZ and Chairman and others in the Community learn a lesson?

  53. Dorab.

    The thought that occurs to my mind is who would have been better off if Dadrawalla had not been pushed to the wall so as to compel him to resign?  The Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    The next hypothetical question is who would have been better off if a consensus candidate had been agreed upon? Chairman or WAPIZ.???
    For both faults, the community was compelled to expend on Election which amount could have been better spent on welfare of the downtrodden.Will both WAPIZ and Chairman and others in the Community learn a lesson?

  54. Boman

    It is rumored that some Trustees are defaulting borrowers of some financial institutions. So just declaring their Assets created out of borrowings will not be adequate. Their personal balance sheets duly certified by their Auditors is imperative.

  55. Boman

    It is rumored that some Trustees are defaulting borrowers of some financial institutions. So just declaring their Assets created out of borrowings will not be adequate. Their personal balance sheets duly certified by their Auditors is imperative.

  56. Rustom

    what is wrong with you people…do you want a reformist who will open up our charity trusts and allow conversion…have you all gone mad….you keep writing about our great forefathers…….where they reformist we wouldnt have our baugs and agariys…..use your brains …….if we dont support orthodoxy then its the end of our community…..in one article they write about WAPIZ’s power of money then next instant munchi becomes a charity expert…he is a fat rich influential corrupt man who will sell our community for money……why did he sell his bungalow to a bunch of gujjus when he could have built housing for parsis….what crap…wake up guys if we dont protect our institutions then we will be a lost tribe….full of southern american zoroastrians who will jump ship to their next religion…

  57. xyz

    you are perfectly right. each and every trustee must declare their personal balance sheets duly audited by an independent auditor as on 31st march, 2011 and must be printed in jame jamshed as early as possible. the deadline is pateti day of 2011.

  58. Barak Aga

    Dear Mr. Rustom,Perhaps you may be unaware that “conversions” are already taking place in India. An Indian Christian (Mr. Fabian Pinto), and a Hindu have already “converted” to Zoroastrianism in India, and they did it for the love of the faith, not for the sake of housing or charity.
    Indians in India can adopt the same train of thought towards the Zoroastrians. “If we permit non-Hindus to reside in India, they can slowly take over our country, so wake up and throw the Zoroastrians out. They are already sitting on some of the most expensive real estate which belongs to us Hindus. Jadi Rana sold out the Hindus by allowing non-Hindus in. Why did Jadi Rana give land to the Zoroastrians, when he could have built for his own people?”
    You are perhaps unaware that the results of a DNA test conducted in 2004 states that the matrilineal DNA of India Zoroastrians matches that of Gujaratis and not Persians.

  59. xyz

    Let BPP start a new scheme for poor and needy parsees to perform navjotes and samuh wedding. Every 6 months 6 navjotes can be done and every 6 months 6 weddings can be done. This will be an expense not more than Rs 5 lacs per year. Parsees population will also increase and poverty will also decrease. Instead of spending Almost Rs 2 crores per year only in litigation expenses, this scheme will be really worth it.

  60. xyz

    Let BPP start a new scheme for poor and needy parsees to perform navjotes and samuh wedding. Every 6 months 6 navjotes can be done and every 6 months 6 weddings can be done. This will be an expense not more than Rs 5 lacs per year. Parsees population will also increase and poverty will also decrease. Instead of spending Almost Rs 2 crores per year only in litigation expenses, this scheme will be really worth it.

  61. xyz

    I suggest BPP can start preparing a computer software for the total parsee-irani citizens of mumbai only. The total amount of individuals must not be more than 40,000. The complete data can be co-related to name, date of birth, age, residence used,income, employed or unemployed, whether staying in a parsee colony or not etc. etc. This will help them to check at the time of giving charities also. This information can be divided into four groups. below poverty line, lower middle class, higher middle class and super rich. The results will show that more wrong persons are taking charity and really genuine ones are left behind.More flats will be shown as locked as they are staying abroad permanently and the no. of people on the waiting list for housing will keep on increasing. This working is not at-all difficult because no. of families will be 7 to 10 thousand only.On an average 600 individuals are dying every year in mumbai only. please think it over.

  62. xyz

    I suggest BPP can start preparing a computer software for the total parsee-irani citizens of mumbai only. The total amount of individuals must not be more than 40,000. The complete data can be co-related to name, date of birth, age, residence used,income, employed or unemployed, whether staying in a parsee colony or not etc. etc. This will help them to check at the time of giving charities also. This information can be divided into four groups. below poverty line, lower middle class, higher middle class and super rich. The results will show that more wrong persons are taking charity and really genuine ones are left behind.More flats will be shown as locked as they are staying abroad permanently and the no. of people on the waiting list for housing will keep on increasing. This working is not at-all difficult because no. of families will be 7 to 10 thousand only.On an average 600 individuals are dying every year in mumbai only. please think it over.

  63. xyz

    I suggest BPP can start preparing a computer software for the total parsee-irani citizens of mumbai only. The total amount of individuals must not be more than 40,000. The complete data can be co-related to name, date of birth, age, residence used,income, employed or unemployed, whether staying in a parsee colony or not etc. etc. This will help them to check at the time of giving charities also. This information can be divided into four groups. below poverty line, lower middle class, higher middle class and super rich. The results will show that more wrong persons are taking charity and really genuine ones are left behind.More flats will be shown as locked as they are staying abroad permanently and the no. of people on the waiting list for housing will keep on increasing. This working is not at-all difficult because no. of families will be 7 to 10 thousand only.On an average 600 individuals are dying every year in mumbai only. please think it over.

  64. Kersybhagat

    Boman,
    just like fpj gives views of wapiz as advetisment, is there no way to give an ad.on line giving name/s about the trustees who have defaulted in their brrowings.if what u have stated is true then it is a great shame.in early days the trustees were donors,& now we have persons whom we can’t trust.such trustees will wipe out bpp’s entire corpus.
           kersy

  65. Boman.

    Dear Kersy,
    There are secrecy laws of Banking and so the names cannot be made public except by the Bank itself after a decree is passed by DRT. 

  66. Kersybhagat

    Boman,
    just like fpj gives views of wapiz as advetisment, is there no way to give an ad.on line giving name/s about the trustees who have defaulted in their brrowings.if what u have stated is true then it is a great shame.in early days the trustees were donors,& now we have persons whom we can’t trust.such trustees will wipe out bpp’s entire corpus.
           kersy

  67. Kersybhagat

    Boman,
    just like fpj gives views of wapiz as advetisment, is there no way to give an ad.on line giving name/s about the trustees who have defaulted in their brrowings.if what u have stated is true then it is a great shame.in early days the trustees were donors,& now we have persons whom we can’t trust.such trustees will wipe out bpp’s entire corpus.
           kersy

  68. Boman.

    Dear Kersy,
    There are secrecy laws of Banking and so the names cannot be made public except by the Bank itself after a decree is passed by DRT. 

  69. Boman.

    Dear Kersy,
    There are secrecy laws of Banking and so the names cannot be made public except by the Bank itself after a decree is passed by DRT. 

  70. xyz

    Why bpp is unable to reduce no. of court cases ? Is it so difficult for 7 trustees to sit together for more time in a week and decide on doing out of court settlements and save community funds. what is mr. cama’s experience doing ?? nothing at-all. why all trustees cannot declare their personal balance sheets to the community ?? is it so difficult for them to declare their assets ?? they are elected representatives and they must declare their personal balance sheets immediately. during the time of canvassing for mr. cama, mr. dinshaw mehta had clarified that mr. cama has agreed to work for only 4 years and all 7 will resign together to save election expenses, whereas in the last samast anjuman meeting, mr. mehta backtracked on his promise that mr. cama will not resign. what false promises to get elected. no. of court cases are increasing day by day and an administrator will come and sit in bpp office soon. how shameful. why dinshaw mehta in samast anjuman meeting did not declare how many court cases are against them and how many they have filed and what they are doing to reduce them. why they were afraid of debate from the community. totally useless trustees.

  71. xyz

    Why bpp is unable to reduce no. of court cases ? Is it so difficult for 7 trustees to sit together for more time in a week and decide on doing out of court settlements and save community funds. what is mr. cama’s experience doing ?? nothing at-all. why all trustees cannot declare their personal balance sheets to the community ?? is it so difficult for them to declare their assets ?? they are elected representatives and they must declare their personal balance sheets immediately. during the time of canvassing for mr. cama, mr. dinshaw mehta had clarified that mr. cama has agreed to work for only 4 years and all 7 will resign together to save election expenses, whereas in the last samast anjuman meeting, mr. mehta backtracked on his promise that mr. cama will not resign. what false promises to get elected. no. of court cases are increasing day by day and an administrator will come and sit in bpp office soon. how shameful. why dinshaw mehta in samast anjuman meeting did not declare how many court cases are against them and how many they have filed and what they are doing to reduce them. why they were afraid of debate from the community. totally useless trustees.

  72. xyz

    Why bpp is unable to reduce no. of court cases ? Is it so difficult for 7 trustees to sit together for more time in a week and decide on doing out of court settlements and save community funds. what is mr. cama’s experience doing ?? nothing at-all. why all trustees cannot declare their personal balance sheets to the community ?? is it so difficult for them to declare their assets ?? they are elected representatives and they must declare their personal balance sheets immediately. during the time of canvassing for mr. cama, mr. dinshaw mehta had clarified that mr. cama has agreed to work for only 4 years and all 7 will resign together to save election expenses, whereas in the last samast anjuman meeting, mr. mehta backtracked on his promise that mr. cama will not resign. what false promises to get elected. no. of court cases are increasing day by day and an administrator will come and sit in bpp office soon. how shameful. why dinshaw mehta in samast anjuman meeting did not declare how many court cases are against them and how many they have filed and what they are doing to reduce them. why they were afraid of debate from the community. totally useless trustees.

  73. gb

    Just received BPP review to-day. Saw an expense of Rs 1.45 crores for legal expenses in a year. Why BPP trustees cannot sit down together and reduce these expenses. Why they cannot do an out of court settlement with tenants. Number of court cases are increasing day by day. Why ?? Is this the reason why we elected trustees – just to quarrel and increase these court cases. What is Mr. Cama doing? Why he cannot decide and suggest alternatives. He loves going to court that was announced by him in his canvassing speech but now I am sure with his Rs 1,000 crores Turnover and with his 100 different trust expertise, he can reduce this amount and use this amount in social welfare schemes. How many unemployed can get a job from this amount ? How many small scale businesses can be started ? How many students can study further? These trustees do not think at-all to reduce the problem. They just love multiplying them. This way surely Charity Commissioner will appoint an ADMINISTRATOR in BPP office. Trustees, please awake from your deep slumber. You all are only Custodians of this property elected by parsi community members, otherwise no one will elect you again after 3 years. A trustee got a flat by paying Rs 60 lacs deposit to BPP. Why ?? Was he on the waiting list ? The answer is NO. How he got an out of turn allotment?? Just because he sold his PUGREE house and paid 60 lacs deposit ?? really shameful.

  74. gb

    Just received BPP review to-day. Saw an expense of Rs 1.45 crores for legal expenses in a year. Why BPP trustees cannot sit down together and reduce these expenses. Why they cannot do an out of court settlement with tenants. Number of court cases are increasing day by day. Why ?? Is this the reason why we elected trustees – just to quarrel and increase these court cases. What is Mr. Cama doing? Why he cannot decide and suggest alternatives. He loves going to court that was announced by him in his canvassing speech but now I am sure with his Rs 1,000 crores Turnover and with his 100 different trust expertise, he can reduce this amount and use this amount in social welfare schemes. How many unemployed can get a job from this amount ? How many small scale businesses can be started ? How many students can study further? These trustees do not think at-all to reduce the problem. They just love multiplying them. This way surely Charity Commissioner will appoint an ADMINISTRATOR in BPP office. Trustees, please awake from your deep slumber. You all are only Custodians of this property elected by parsi community members, otherwise no one will elect you again after 3 years. A trustee got a flat by paying Rs 60 lacs deposit to BPP. Why ?? Was he on the waiting list ? The answer is NO. How he got an out of turn allotment?? Just because he sold his PUGREE house and paid 60 lacs deposit ?? really shameful.

  75. gb

    Just received BPP review to-day. Saw an expense of Rs 1.45 crores for legal expenses in a year. Why BPP trustees cannot sit down together and reduce these expenses. Why they cannot do an out of court settlement with tenants. Number of court cases are increasing day by day. Why ?? Is this the reason why we elected trustees – just to quarrel and increase these court cases. What is Mr. Cama doing? Why he cannot decide and suggest alternatives. He loves going to court that was announced by him in his canvassing speech but now I am sure with his Rs 1,000 crores Turnover and with his 100 different trust expertise, he can reduce this amount and use this amount in social welfare schemes. How many unemployed can get a job from this amount ? How many small scale businesses can be started ? How many students can study further? These trustees do not think at-all to reduce the problem. They just love multiplying them. This way surely Charity Commissioner will appoint an ADMINISTRATOR in BPP office. Trustees, please awake from your deep slumber. You all are only Custodians of this property elected by parsi community members, otherwise no one will elect you again after 3 years. A trustee got a flat by paying Rs 60 lacs deposit to BPP. Why ?? Was he on the waiting list ? The answer is NO. How he got an out of turn allotment?? Just because he sold his PUGREE house and paid 60 lacs deposit ?? really shameful.

  76. Rathestar

    Pl read a bit more carefully. The Legal expense has been split to make it less glaring. Will any one throw light on Legal expenses shown separately for Doongerwadi.?

  77. Rathestar

    Pl read a bit more carefully. The Legal expense has been split to make it less glaring. Will any one throw light on Legal expenses shown separately for Doongerwadi.?

  78. Rathestar

    Pl read a bit more carefully. The Legal expense has been split to make it less glaring. Will any one throw light on Legal expenses shown separately for Doongerwadi.?

  79. Contradhongi

     A very valid point has been raised by those within WAPIZ ot those sympathetic to its ideology viz why a relative novice -  was chosen to be fielded and why old war horses of WAPIZ were  reluctant to enter the fray. Obvious answer could be that they were over confident that anything with WAPIZ  tag will garner support, alternatively the old guards were scared of being paid in their own coin with the language of what you say derogatory WAPIZ page. The latter assumption seems to be a more plausible reason.                                 

  80. Boman

    It is rumored that some Trustees are defaulting borrowers of some financial institutions. So just declaring their Assets created out of borrowings will not be adequate. Their personal balance sheets duly certified by their Auditors is imperative.