Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Jan 13 (mb): In a significant political development, Taleigao legislator Atanasio Monserratte, who was earlier expelled from United Goans Democratic party(UGDP) showed his intentions to join nationalistic congress party (NCP).

Monserratte, accompanied by Save Goa Front legislator Reginaldo Lourenco, met NCP's Goa unit chief Dr Wilfred D'Souza at a hotel here. While Monserratte admitted his intention to join the national party, Lourenco refrained from making any comment on the issue.

"I won't mind resigning and recontesting from Taleigao constituency," Monserratte told PTI.

He said that his move is to strengthen the government in the state.

NCP national general secretary Tariq Anwar, who is down in the state to participate in the parliamentary committee meeting, earlier confirmed the move to admit Monserratte in the party fold.

"There are talks at the state level," he said answering a question.

Monserratte, who was instrumental in dethroning the BJP-led government earlier in 2005, had later joined congress. He had refused Congress ticket for last June Two Goa legislative assembly polls.

Later, he had supported the Congress-led government and withdrew his support in July last year to form Goa Democratic alliance (GDA) along with BJP and Save Goa Front. When GDA experiment failed within a fortnight, Monserrate again pledged his support to Kamat-led government.

Monserratte was expelled from the party on August 14 last year making him unattached member.

The 40-seat Goa state legislative assembly has 16 Congress, 14 BJP, Three NCP, Two each of Save Goa Front and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP), two independents and Monserratte who is unattached UGDP legislator.