Team Herald
PANJIM: Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, who has been known for party hopping, on Tuesday said he will remain loyal to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) till his retirement.
His statement during the announcement of BJP’s new Panjim Mandal Committee evoked applause from the workers attending the late evening event.
“I would like to thank you all that even after bitter election, you all have overwhelmingly accepted me in the BJP. There may be some who are waiting that I am come here (BJP) for just two years and I will not be with you’ll thereafter. I want to make one thing very clear that I have come here to retire and I will be in the party,” he said while addressing the new committee members and the party “karyakartas” during the function at BJP Head Office in the capital.
Claiming he knows the tricks of politics, he assured and emphasised that BJP will sweep single largest majority in the next General Assembly election.
In his short speech, Babush also made an attempt to extend his cordial relations with those who reportedly have not accepted him in the party.
“I am here to work in the interest of the party and let us all work unitedly. See I don’t have the vindictive attitude against anyone. I always believe that what we speak during the elections is only at that time, and once election gets over, we all should work together,” he said adding, “I want the party to rise and I want that next time also we get majority. I am sure we will get majority. At least I know the tricks of the trade. Let us all work together with no differences whatsoever.”
In another statement, he also claimed that there has been no party worker who has complained of harassment every since he first contested elections.
“I always point out even one ‘karyakarta’… let one person since 2002 till today say that Babush harassed us in any way as far as party is concerned. I have no ill feelings against anyone. I will also work for the party like a ‘karyakarta’,” he said.
The party’s 31-member Panjim mandal has former city Mayor Shubham Chodankar as its new president.
