Goa Cong nets unattached UGDP MLA

United Goans Democratic Partys UGDP unattached legislator and Education Minister Anata-nasio Babush Monserratte joined the Congress on Monday. Monserratte filled the membership form in the presence of Goa Pradesh Congress Party GPCC chief Subhash Shirodkar and Chief Minister Digamber Kamat. With Monserratte joining the party,the Congresss strength in 40-member Assembly jumped from 18 to 19.

Shirodkar said Monserrattes entry into the Congress was unconditional. He claimed the entire UG-DP was merged into the Congress. UGDP is mer-ged into the Congress. Now there is nothing called UGDP existing in the state, he said. Kamat said Monserrattes entry will not disturb the current Cabinet set-up. There will be no Cabinet reshuffle.

The legislator had refused to contest on a Congress ticket during 2007 Assembly elections.