MARGAO
United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), with Taleigao strongman Babush Monserrate at its helm of affairs, will not only eye the Assembly seats in Tiswadi for the 2017 election, but also constituencies in minority-dominated Salcete taluka and Mormugao as well.
UGDP ideologue Adv Radharao Gracias, who had a meeting with Monserrate on Saturday to discuss the modalities of strengthening the regi onal outfit ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls, informed that it’s a misconception created in certain quarters that UGDP will only concentrate on the five seats of Tiswadi given Monserrate’s clout in the taluka, and leave the dominant Salcete taluka to other local and regional players.
“It’s incorrect to suggest that UGDP will only concentrate in Tiswadi and leave the seats in Salcete and other talukas to other regional forces. I want to state that UGDP will not only contest the seats in Tiswadi, but will also field candidates for many seats in Salcete and Mormugao, including the Cortalim seat as well,” Radharado told
The Goan.
He, however, hastened to add that UGDP will not be averse in strategic seat adjustments with other players and parties, adding that all these things will be discussed on the eve of the polls.
Saying that UGDP will have its election for the highest decision-making body, Presidium, around May, he said the UGDP brass met recently and discussed all issues, including holding of elections and plans by Monserrate to join and lead the party in the
coming election.
“The UGDP top brass has decided to welcome Monserrate’s return into the party fold, more so after voters in the State capital Panaji have given him a clear mandate to rule the Corporation of the City of Panaji. If voters in the capital city have given him the mandate, UGDP has no problem with him returning and leading the party ahead of the 2017 election”, Radharao said.
UGDP was a force to reckon with in the early 90’s when the party was led by Churchill Alemao. The party had won three seats of Benaulim, Cuncolim and Curtorim in the 1994 Assembly election, followed by Churchill Alemao’s victory in the 1996 Lok
Sabha election.
Babush Monserrate himself had made his debut in the Legislative Assembly in the 2002 election, before the party’s downfall in the 2007 election and then later in the 2012 poll, when the regional outfit failed to save its popular ‘Two Leaves’ symbol following its de-recognition by the Election Commission of India.
