HERALD: How come you decided to contest from Panjim even though you are already an MLA of a neighbouring constituency?
BABUSH: I always had a wish to contest from Panjim. First of all, the city corporation is ruled by my panel. The corporation will complete almost four years of its term with my panel ruling. Out of this, for only one year the BJP has ruled. And that was when Tony (Corporator Tony Rodrigues) and Caroline (Corporator Caroline Po) defected.
You see, I have certain responsibility towards the people of Panjim. For almost seven to eight years we are ruling Panjim. And this too despite Parrikar being the Opposition leader and then the chief minister. I have to fulfil my commitments to the people of Panjim.
I will be resigning as MLA because I am going to be contesting elections as an independent. I will be resigning the day the elections process begins.
When Parrikar was there, I believed he was a better person so I did not contest. Now after Parrikar, who is there? The main contenders will be the BJP and myself. I don’t see anybody else. If you see the results in the past five elections you will realize. I am now fighting here to win. Anyway not much has been done. The moment the election process starts I will resign.
HERALD: What has given you the confidence that you will succeed in Panjim?
BABUSH: Just eight wards are from Taleigao and 22 are from Panjim. So there is a support base both in Taleigao as well as in Panjim. But there have always been a conflict of interest as well as an ego clash as far as the mayor and MLA is concerned. It is necessary to have both positions in hand so that development occures.
Parrikar has been elevated so he has left and gone. So now I am leaving that seat to fulfill my commitment to people of Panjim which I owe them for the past seven to eight years. But I have noticed that there has always been a conflict between the CCP and the MLA.
HERALD: Will you get co-operation?
BABUSH: This is a democracy. I was the first person to announce my candidature. And this was even before Parsekar became the chief minister. I never said I wanted the Congress ticket. I said that I would stand as an independent. I will however support the government as soon as I am elected because I want development. I have already started my work. Some people are confused. Let me make my stand clear. I am going to contest. Nobody can change my mind.
