TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Congress Legislature Party has not yet informed the Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar that its St Cruz MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate has been expelled from the party for a period of six years. This would have made him an unattached MLA in the 40-member Assembly.
Speaking to the media, Arlekar said, “As per the rules of the House, the Speaker has to be informed about such a major development. Since Monserrate is an unattached MLA, the Congress will have to request for making separate sitting arrangements for him in the House,” the Speaker said.
With Monserrate’s expulsion for alleged anti-party activities, Congress is left with only eight MLAs in the House. The Opposition is supported by independent MLA Vijai Sardessai.
On the other hand, the ruling BJP-MGP coalition has got 24 MLAs, with backing from Goa Vikas Party’s two MLAs, and three independents.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) last week expelled its St Cruz legislator and former Education Minister Monserrate for his anti-party activities during the recently held Panjim by-elections and thereafter, where he openly supported the BJP candidate and sought to defeat the Congress official nominee Surendra Furtado. The Congress has made it clear that Monserrate will not be given a party ticket for 2017 Assembly elections.
After being elected from Taleigao in 2007 Assembly election, Monserrate had joined Congress in 2010 as Education Minister. He was also handling crucial Town and Country Planning portfolio, when the controversial Regional Plan 2021 was drafted and notified.
