Herald: Will this be the end of the political road for Monserrate considering the serious charges against him?
Madkaikar: Absolutely not! In fact, this will give him more power through people’s sympathy. The fact that he has been granted bail by the Court in such a serious case, proves that there is no substance in the case. The Court itself has said that prima facie, there is no evidence to incarcerate him. So the question does not arise.
Herald: You spoke of sympathy votes. You mean to say that from now, only sympathy votes can save Monserrate who has been king of Taleigao constituency for a decade?
Madkaikar: No! What I mean to say is that this case has in fact further strengthened his political career. Not just in Taleigao but even the Panjim constituency, where he now intends to contest, will work in his favour.
Herald: But can he do it all alone, or with UGDP or will the Congress open their doors for him?
Madkaikar: If he approaches us, the party can definitely think about it. In fact, before this case, the party president (Luizinho Faleiro) himself had approached him and asked him to rejoin the party and they even held a meeting. I feel Congress is the only option for Monserrate for his political growth and to fight for justice. I don’t think parties like UGDP will ever help him out. They have no existence.
