Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 18: Following his split from Goa Forward Party last week, Babush Monserrate officially announced his tie up with Congress party on Thursday. He said that it was like a homecoming for him and he took the decision after substantial thought. The national party is expected to name him as the Panjim candidate for the bypolls.

With the official entry of Monserrate to the party, the Congress is expecting an assembly seat in Goa that has been vacant with the sudden demise of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

"You can say it is the return of the prodigal son. The son has learnt a lesson roaming everywhere," said Monserrate at a press meet at the Panjim headquarters of Congress. Passing a remark on Congress leader Luiziho Faleiro he said, “Also, I never left the party. The former president removed me from the party. I am here now to defeat the BJP.”

Chodankar who is the North Goa candidate for Congress for the parliamentary seat said, “The entry of Babush gives a boost to the campaign for Lok Sabha seats."

“After roaming everywhere I have decided it is time for a homecoming. You can call it that. I realised that people had a trust deficit as they always wondered as an independent will I jump, and if I jump which party will I join. I have realised now. I went around in the last few months and the message is loud and clear…I made the decision based on that. I should have listened to the voice of the people,” said Monserrate at a press meet at the Panjim headquarters of Congress.