Salcete-based United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) is back in the news with St Cruz legislator Babush Monserrate dropping clear hints that he may take over the reigns of the regional party from where he began his political career in 2002. UGDP leaders, including Adv Radharao Gracias, have welcomed Monserrate’s plan to take over the party reigns and strengthen the regional party ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls. But, the moot question still remains whether Babush and the present UGDP leadership can ensure a turnaround in the fortunes of the two decade-old regional outfit, after having lost its popular 'Two Leaves' symbol and consequently being de-recognised as a political party, reports Guilherme Almeida
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POLL BOUND
- Babush Monserrate had launched his political career in 2002 on a UGDP ticket
- Now, the strongman from Taleigao wants to revive the partys fortunes for the forthcoming Assembly polls
- But this move by the St Cruz legislator could pose problems for parties, like the newly-launched Goa Forward, that are looking to capitalise on the secular vote
- UDGP's leadership has also sounded a call to other heavyweights like Churchill Alemao and Mickky Pacheco to join the regional outfit
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The 'Two Leaves' symbol with an arrow pointing to the UGDP office is still prominently displayed on the second floor of the building behind Gomant Vidya Niketan, despite the regional party virtually lying defunct since the 2012 election. This very office was once bustling with hectic political activity when the party was a force to reckon with around a decade and half ago. Take note that the office had remained shut for years now since the time the regional party was de-recognised by the Election Commission around four years ago. St Cruz MLA, Babush Monseratte’s plans to revive this regional party, however, may once again witness activity in the office. Reason: the UGDP leadership comprising the party's Secretary General, Adv Anacleto Viegas, and senior vice-president Adv Gracias is not averse to handing over the party baton to politicos like Monseratte with the party stagnating over the years for want of leaders and workers to run the party.
When The Goan team visited the building on Tuesday, Adv Viegas, who operates from the same office, was pre-occupied in drafting a notice of the party meeting he intends to convene later this month. That the UGDP leadership has suddenly realised the need to convene a meeting of the regional party is clear that party leaders are bracing to decide its fate in the near future.
Says Anacleto: “The time has come for the party leadership to take a call on the very future of the party. Elections for the Goa Legislative Assembly is just around a year away, and we feel that all regional groups should come under banner to strengthen the regional forces to save Goa and Goemkarponn.”
The UGDP Secretary General was not ready to disclose the nature of discussions the party leadership had with the St Cruz legislator, but he asserted that the party is ready to welcome Babush with open arms if he has any plans to revive the party in the interest of the State.
Party vice-President, Radharao Gracias, has been more forthright in conceding that Babush had a round of meeting with UGDP on his plans to join the party and take the party forward.
“We should not forget that Babush had begun his career on the UGDP banner. And, if he has plans to rejoin the party, the party leadership will certainly welcome him into the party fold,” Radharao said.
Commenting on the statement made by Babush on his plan to run the UGDP in the near future, Radharao made it clear that UGDP will soon have its election to the general body, and the Presidium shortly.
“Babush might have disclosed his plans to run UGDP since elections are due. Many a member of the UGDP had joined the party when he was the party MLA. Maybe, what Babush meant to say is, he plans to run the party after the election to the office bearers,” he added.
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United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) Secretary General, Adv Anacleto Viegas, has said the time has come for the present party leadership, including himself, to hand over the baton to those interested in running the party affairs.
And, Adv Viegas made it amply clear that the doors of the party are not only open for political leaders like Babush Monseratte, but all former party leaders, including Churchill Alemao and Mickky Pacheco.
“Yes, I am ready to hand over the party baton to the new leadership if that serves the purpose of ensuring regional unity in the interest of Goa,” remarked Anacleto, who has been at the helm of party affairs for over a decade a half, and had scuttled all plans to merge the regional party lock, stock and barrel in the past.
“Why only Babush Monseratte? I am of the opinion that all former leaders like Churchill Alemao and Mickky Pacheco are welcome to return to the party fold and strengthen the regional forces. We are all ready to forgive and forget the past if it helps in strengthening regional unity,” he added.
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Commenting on Babush Monseratte’s plans to revive the UGDP, will which end up encroaching in the secular space in future, Goa Forward Party leader, MLA Vijai Sardesai, said he is confident that Babush will not take any step that may divide the secular vote.
Asked whether the revival of the UGDP by Monseratte may divide the secular vote, especially in the talukas of Salcete, Mormugao and Tiswadi, with too many players vying for the slice of the secular vote, he replied, “Babush has been my close friend. He talks about an alliance with our party in future. But, I am confident that though Babush has disclosed plans to revive UGDP, I am confident that he understands the need for a secular unit to prevent a split in the secular vote.”
