From: [email protected] To: Babush chooses feast day to launch Panaji campaignJoaquim FernandesJoaquim Fernandes,TNN | Nov 28, 2014 PANAJI: St Cruz Congress MLA Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate is firm on contesting the byelection from Panaji as an independent, is committed to fielding a candidate in St Cruz to fill the vacuum he is creating and is equally committed to preventing the mummy-son duo (Victoria and Rudolf Fernandes) from winning there.
In an exclusive chat with TOI on Thursday, Monserrate said he is in the final stages of completing his election manifesto for Panaji and that he will start his campaign on the feast day of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Panaji, December 8. Said Monserrate, "I will resign the moment the process of election starts. I cannot win on a Congress ticket because I need votes across party lines. On December 8, I will start visiting homes in Panaji, appeal to them and explain why they should vote for me." How confident is he of winning in a constituency which is a BJP constituency for five terms in a row? "People used to vote for Parrikar and I also feel Parrikar was the best. I have not crossed swords with Parrikar. Last time, I wanted to contest from Panaji. I had asked Digambar Kamat for the urban development portfolio because I wanted to do something for Panaji. I cannot beat Parrikar in qualifications but where development is concerned, I can beat him." Monserrate said he has been holding the reigns of the Panaji municipality for the past nine years. Out of the corporation's 30 seats, eight seats come from Taleigao and balance 22 come from Panaji. "And I formed the council despite Parrikar being the MLA of Panaji. Even after he became the chief minister, he could not take control of the council," he said. Monserrate said he has strong roots in Panaji and that he has gone to every Panjimite's house for two elections. Was it ethical on his part to foist a by-election on the people of St Cruz constituency when they had given him a mandate for five years? Pointing to Parrikar leaving Panaji and getting elected in Uttar Pradesh, Monserrate said that he has a vision for the city and that many people have approached him to contest from Panaji. "I am not going to leave St Cruz orphaned," said the St Cruz MLA. Asked how he would fulfill the promises he gave the electorate of St Cruz, he said he has plans that he would unfold in stages. "I will fulfill whatever commitments I have made to St Cruz. Whoever the next St Cruz candidate is, he will be as good as me. Also, be rest assured that the mother-son duo will not come into the legislative assembly. I am getting messages from people which say that you going is okay, but please see that they do not get elected here." Asked if he would personally field a candidate there, Monseratte said he would fill the vacuum he is creating there
