Adopting a tough stand against Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate, All India Congress Committee General Secretary and Goa Desk In-charge Margaret Alva on Saturday stated that he (Babush) is neither part of the Congress party nor does it (Congress) have anything to do with the UGDP.
Interestingly, it was Monserrate who packed the first punch at the Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) by extending support to the Congress Government that was struggling to survive following withdrawal of support by the MGP MLAs.
Addressing a press conference in the city, Alva categorically stated that no talks were held with either Monserrate or the UGDP, adding that the two are not part of the ruling faction.
“He may support us, but we have nothing to do with him,” said Alva when reminded of her pre-election statement `Congress has no truck with Monserrate’.”
It may be recalled that Monserrate had dumped the Congress party at the eleventh hour to contest the Assembly polls on the UGDP ticket.
Alva also denied calling Churchill Alemao a “joker”, stating that the media had misinterpreted her statement. “I never called him a joker,” she said, when asked how the Congress inducted a joker in the Government.
She clarified that Churchill’s support was unconditional. “He put only one demand and we made him a minister…according to our party formula,” she pointed out.
-Herald, Goa Daily
