PANJIM: BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s elevation has hit the Congress. St Cruz MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate reasserted that he would quit the Congress and contest as an Independent in Panjim – the seat to be vacated by Parrikar once he joins the Union cabinet.
Monserrate was one of the nine Congress candidates to win in 2012 when the Congress was decimated. The party was just beginning to recover and has a new state president, and Monserrate’s decision will hit it badly. The party has still not started the process of rebuilding its base which has been eroded over years of mismanagement and the encouragement of sycophancy by its leaders.
Speaking to Herald, Monserrate said, “I will resign only when they (election commission) declares the by-poll in Panjim constituency. I stand a better chance to get elected an as Independent.”
There is no confirmation of his wife, Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate, quitting the party. When asked about this, he said, “Why she should resign?”
Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado, a Congressman and a ticket contender, would not be drawn in making a statement. “I will react once the Panjim MLA resigns and the by-polls are announced,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, an alliance partner of the BJP, said that it would contest the St Cruz seat if it falls vacant.
