Will St Cruz MLA resign to pave way for his boss?

OLD GOA

Rumours of Monserratte asking Fernandes to resign were doing the rounds since results of the Assembly elections were out in March, wherein Monserratte had been defeated in Panaji, while his man Fernandes had won in St Cruz.
Fernandes also gave credence to the rumours when he called Monserratte his ‘boss\' and that he would do as he says. But, backlash from the voters kept the plan on the back burner.
However, the latest development has set the tongues wagging yet again in the constituency and this time, the questions that are doing the rounds are whether Fernandes would step down in the first place and if that happens, then whether it would be smooth sailing for Monserratte.
The answer to the former question was an emphatic "No" as MLA Fernandes told The Goan that he has not been contacted by Monserratte on the issue.
"Secondly, I am a Congressman and I have to abide by the diktats of the party," he added.
However, sources close to Monserratte informed that it is a done deal and the only question that remains is not if, but when.
The Goan also contacted some locals to ascertain their views on the development and whether Monserratte stands a chance to win from St Cruz and that too on a Goa Forward ticket, when this constituency has been known to be a stronghold of the Congress.
And there were mixed
reactions as some felt that it is a betrayal of voters, while others said that ultimately it is money power and some said they would support Monserratte as his presence in the government would usher in development of the constituency.
Speaking to The Goan, secretary of Chimbel Manch Tukaram Kunkolkar said that if people of St Cruz have to go for another election just for the sake of Monserratte, then it would be a mockery of democracy.
"People have already elected the MLA of their choice for five years and he should be allowed to complete his term. If an election is thrust again on the people, then the Manch will work against Monserratte," he said.
Jerry Vaz, a local from Merces, also echoed similar sentiments and questioned why an MLA from one party should be asked to step down to accommodate a person from another party. "Has this ever happened anywhere else in India? Then why in Goa?" he questioned while stating that as and when such a situation arises, the voters should unite in teaching Monserratte a lesson.
Vaz further stated that St Cruz being a strong Congress bastion, the party should field a candidate who will have the capability to defeat Monserratte. "And the only candidate that comes to mind is Rudolf Fernandes," he added.
An activist from Merces informed that the Election Commission should come out with a law which bars elected members from stepping down on flimsy grounds. "Otherwise, this type of drama will continue, which will be nothing but a murder of democracy," he added.
However, on the other hand, a local from Santa Cruz informed that ultimately it is the game of money power. "Today, it is a known fact that money plays a key role in the victory of a candidate," he stated and questioned whether anybody has the capability to take on the might of Monserratte.
"Everybody is waiting for elections to make money as the mantra is make hay while the sun shines," the villager added.
Meanwhile, Santa Cruz Sarpanch Marian Araujo said his support would be for Babush Monserratte, whether he is MLA or not. "Monserratte has the capacity to bring in development in the constituency," he added.
On the question of another election looming large in the constituency, Araujo replied: "It is a matter that has to be decided by the local MLA and Monserratte."

Some locals in the constituency feel that it is a betrayal of voters, while others say that ultimately it is money power
There are some who say would support Monserratte as his presence in the government would usher in development of St Cruz