Forges alliance with Mummy

OLD GOA, JAN 7
Even though almost more than a year is remaining for the State to go for polls, the war as to who would fight the Panjim Assembly seat has started much in advance.
On Thursday evening, Ribandar residents had an opportunity to have a glimpse of a likely electoral alliance in the making, as Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate and St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes along with her supporters supervised the PWD works undertaken by the St Cruz MLA in Ribandar area.
The visit was to apprise Monserrate about the works which the St Cruz MLA has undertaken in Ribandar area, as after delimitation Ribandar has been merged with the Panjim constituency.
Speaking to Herald, Education Minister Babush Monserrate said: “I am taking Mummy’s support in Ribandar area, as this area would fall in Panjim constituency after delimitation.”
“If I want to contest from Panjim seat, then Ribandar is the important base for me, for which I need her support. Mummy has taken up some works in Ribandar and we have come here to supervise it and to see what else was needed to be done in Ribandar,” he told Herald.
“I would like to contest from Panjim constituency, as I already have Taleigao with me. Besides, there is no Congress candidate in Panjim constituency and I require everyone’s support to make a dent in Panjim constituency,” said Babush.
“I feel that Panjim constituency has been neglected for many years and I think it should not be a problem for the Congress party to offer me the Panjim ticket,” he added.
“There is always a saying in politics that there is no permanent friend and permanent enemy, so we both have come together. As there was some misunderstanding earlier, we have now decided why we should fight among ourselves and give someone else an opportunity to take advantage of our fights,” he said.
Meanwhile, St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes said: “I and my son will support Babush in his fight for Panjim Assembly seat and will also support him wherever he needs me and my people’s support.”