Former Congress minister Atanasio Monserratte, who was tipped to be party's candidate for bypoll against Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Panaji, today joined the Goa Forward Party, a ruling coalition ally.
The development comes in the backdrop of Monserratte's name being considered by the Congress for the Panaji by-election from where Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is seeking an entry into the assembly.
Congress leaders too confirmed that Monserratte's name was being considered for the Panaji bypolls.
Parrikar had in March this year resigned as Defence Minister to take over as chief minister of Goa after the assembly polls. He was a Member of Rajya Sabha and not an MLA, and so he has to contest an election within six months of taking over as chief minister.
Monserratte who had lost the recent state legislative assembly election to BJP's Siddharth Kuncolienkar was being considered as party's candidate to contest the by-election against Parrikar.
"Now we can call Manohar Parrikar as the MLA of Panaji. We will be supporting Parrikar during the by-election in the constituency," GFP President Vijai Sardesai told reporters after welcoming Monserratte into the party fold.
Sardesai said Monserratte joining GFP is a major political development and it will give stability certificate to the Parrikar-led government in the state.
He termed Monserratte as a "pro-active and pro-development person in the state."
"We will concentrate on building a new Goa with Goenkarponn as its foundation," he said rubbishing the allegations that GFP has become B team of the BJP.
Monserratte told reporters that the Congress was never serious about contesting the Panaji by-election.
"I am in favour of this government. The common minimum programme recently released shows reversal of the decisions taken by previous governments," he said.
He accused the local Congress leaders of running the party like their proprietory firm.
"Even Digambar Kamat does not have much say in the party," Monserratte claimed.
Monserratte was ministerin the Digambar Kamat led government and had landed in controversy afterbeingarrested for raping a minor girl.
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