Congress today cleared decks for the entry of United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) (unattached) legislator Anatanasio 'Babush' Monserratte into the party fold.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat told reporters outside his official residence that Monserratte will be joining the party by evening.

"The entry is unconditional and there will no portfolio reshuffle," Kamat said. The chief minister said that Monserratte's entry into Congress was decided long back but it is actually happening now.

Monserratte is education minister in Kamat's cabinet.

With Monserratte joining the party, Congress' strength has jumped from 18 to 19 in the 40-seat Goa State Assembly.

In past, the legislator had refused Congress party ticket during 2007 state legislative assembly elections.

Monserratte had almost filed the nominations on Congress ticket before he changed his mind at last minute.

He preferred to contest from regional outfit, United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) as Congress refused to give ticket to his wife, Jeniffer from neighbouring St Cruz constituency.

Both husband and wife contested on UGDP ticket. Soon after the elections, Monserratte was part of the first rebellion against Kamat, within two months of forming the government.

Monserratte had joined few Congress legislators in their tirade against Kamat government.

UGDP had expelled Monserratte from the party and he remained unattached member of the party in the Assembly. He was inducted in the State cabinet in 2008.

Monserratte was in the news two years back after he was arrested for attacking Panaji police station. He was remanded to seven days police custody before he got the bail.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet in the court had named him as an accused in this case.

Monserratte was leading the mob, which attacked the police station after police arrested few of his supporters involved in a gang fight.

During the last tenure, Monserratte, who was then Town and Country Planning minister had to resign from the cabinet bowing to the mass protest against him.

Various NGOs had protested against him for drafting regional plan, which had feared to rob away greenery of the state.