PANJIM: Asserting that he always enjoyed cordial relations with former chief minister and present Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, St Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate thanked the Congress leadership for giving him his ‘freedom’ after the party decided to expel him from its fold, for alleged anti-party activities.
“I am very thankful to the Congress party. I am free now! The party has given me my freedom!” Monserrate told Herald, adding that the party decision to expel him was expected.
When asked about his relation with the BJP, Babush said that he always had a good relationship with all parties and up to and including Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and would continue to have good relations with him. “I always enjoyed having good relation with Parrikar and I intend to keep it,” he said.
Speaking on his imminent expulsion, he said: “I welcome the decision of the party. It is on expected lines.”
The maverick Monserrate who has been in and out of parties, claimed that the Congress high command was forewarned about his plan not to support Surendra Furtado’s candidature at the Panjim by-election and his support to the BJP, well in advance.
“I had told the party leadership in advance that I cannot work for Furtado. He has betrayed the party. I had said that I will not support him, but will support BJP, to ensure that Furtado loses the election,” the Congress legislator said, adding that “I appealed to the people to support BJP and not Furtado.”
The Congress executive committee resolved to expel Monserrate from the party on Tuesday, for his anti-party activities during the recently concluded Panjim by-elections.
Monserrate is known for shifting his loyalty. He was first elected on an UGDP ticket, but then split the party to join the BJP briefly, till he resigned in 2005 when he was stripped of the town and country portfolio. He then joined the Congress but deserted it on the eve of 2007 elections and contested the seat on UGDP ticket. He was then re-admitted to the Congress in 2010 without any conditions.
Reporter’s version: In 2010, Monserrate was expelled from UGDP, after he made strong contention to merge UGDP with Congress. Though expelled, he had not resigned from the assembly seat which he had won on UGDP seat in June 2007. He remained unattached at that time and later joined the Congress. He later resigned from the Congress.
