BASURI DESAI
basuri@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Will there be a by-election in St Cruz? While the question is on the lips of almost all constituents, it is still uncertain what will happen here.
MLA Tony Fernandes, a close aide of former St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, said he hasn’t received any communication from Monserrate on the matter. However, he asserted, “Babush is my boss and if he tells me to step down as MLA, I will do that for the welfare of my constituency”.
While politics is a game of glorious uncertainties, there is one thing certain about the current situation in St Cruz. The Congress has no hold over its St Cruz MLA, who merely contested on the Congress symbol, but remains for all affects and purposes, Babush Monseratte’s MLA.
Speculation is rife that Monserrate will get Fernandes to resign as MLA and then enter the fray in the by-poll in St Cruz, with the BJP. Herald wishes to reiterate, after being in touch with several political stakeholders, that these are strong political speculations with a degree of possibility and not just stray rumours.
While such speculation is escalating, Monserrate has refrained from making any statement, and several calls made by Herald to Monserrate went unanswered.
Fernandes, however, said he will be meeting Monserrate on Wednesday morning as he has been continuously getting calls and queries from supporters and voters. “It was my wish to serve the people of St Cruz as there has been no development in this constituency for the last 20 years, but it is unfortunate that my party wasn’t able to form the government,” Fernandes told Herald.
He said he was elected because of Monserrate and had been supported by the former MLA. “It is Babush who kept his trust in me and gave me the Congress ticket after negotiating with the Congress high command. I will listen to him,” Fernandes said.
He mentioned that, whatever decision he will be taking, would be in the interest of St Cruz constituency.
