Advantage Parrikar as Babush joins GF

PANAJI
Former Congress MLA Babush Monserrate on Tuesday joined Vijai Sardessai's Goa Forward Party (GFP) effectively clearing the way for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at the upcoming by-polls to Panaji constituency.
GF president and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai declared that the entry of Monserrate into the ruling alliance is "the stability certificate for Parrikar sarkar in Goa".
"Babush's entry into Goa Forward brings finality to all the rumours and attempts of Congress to destabilise the government. Supremacy of Parrikar established and this means that he is almost declared as the Panaji MLA. GF will support his candidacy at Panaji by-polls," Sardesai stated while announcing the entry of Babush into
his party.
Welcoming Monserrate into the party, the Fatorda strongman said that the development will strengthen the Goa Forward in North Goa.
"We didn't make Parrikar resign as the Union Defence Minister to offer him an unstable government in Goa," Sardessai said.
Goa Forward MLAs including Water Resources Minister Vinoda Palienkar, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar and former party president Dr Renuka Da Silva were among those present at the GF headquarters when the formal announcement was made.
Sardesai further hinted that Babush could soon become a member of the Assembly. "If any Congress MLA resigns in the future, GF will contest that seat with its own candidate. Babush, however, doesn't want to become a minister," Sardesai announced.  The Goa Forward president then trained his guns on Congress and pointed out that Babush was Congress' hope for forming the government. "We have ensured the stability of our alliance government. Congress had asked us to merge when the talks of pre-poll alliance were underway before the Assembly polls. Now, the Congress should consider merger with Goa Forward. We are the new regional alternative," Sardesai lashed out.