the goan I network
PANAJI
In an eleventh hour twist to the tale of the ongoing political developments of this week, Panaji MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate opted out from joining the cabinet and instead nominated his wife Jennifer, who represents the neighbouring Taleigao constituency.
Monserrate who was until Friday night tipped to be inducted in the cabinet reportedly conveyed to the party leadership that he would back off from taking a ministerial position to avoid possible embarrassment due to the criminal cases against him which could be fodder for the Opposition.
The development led to the induction of Jennifer Monserrate, a second term MLA from Taleigao thus giving a single representation to women in the 12-member cabinet. The last time a woman got representation in the Goa cabinet was when Alina Saldanha was minister in the previous term of the Goa legislative assembly.
The Panaji MLA who has switched three parties in three months had said that though there is criticism for his move to embrace the BJP, in future people will judge him after his performance in the next two years.
