Panaji, July 19 – Jennifer Monseratte, MLA from Taleigao and former minister, passed away on Sunday, July 19, after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 56. For the past two years, she had been bravely fighting the disease and breathed her last at a private hospital. As per her wish, her final rites will be performed on Monday, July 20, at the Hindu crematorium in Santa Inez.

She was the wife of Goa’s Revenue Minister Babush Monseratte and mother of Panaji Mayor Rohit Monseratte. The Monserattes are remembered as the first couple to be elected to the Goa Legislative Assembly.

A Political Journey Rooted in Grassroots

Though she entered politics alongside her husband, Jennifer Monseratte carved her own independent path and earned respect through her work.

In 2004, she was elected as a panch member in Taleigao.

Soon after, she won the Zilla Panchayat elections and served as President of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat (2005–2007).

In 2007, she contested the Assembly elections from St. Cruz constituency on a UGDP ticket but lost.

Between 2009 and 2012, she held the position of Sarpanch of Taleigao.

In 2012, she entered the Goa Assembly as a Congress MLA.

She was re-elected in 2017, again on a Congress ticket.

In 2019, she joined the BJP and served as the only woman minister in Dr. Pramod Sawant’s cabinet (2019–2022).

In 2022, she retained her seat as a BJP MLA.

From panch member to sarpanch, Zilla Panchayat President, MLA, and minister, Jennifer Monseratte truly represented the people at every level of governance.

Known for Her Gentle Nature

Jennifer Monseratte was widely admired for her humility and soft-spoken nature. While many initially saw her only as Babush Monseratte’s wife, those who interacted with her discovered a leader free of arrogance, who treated everyone with respect. Even as a minister, she remained approachable and considerate, earning goodwill across the state.

Her absence from public life in recent years due to illness was deeply felt. With her passing, Goa has lost a leader who combined political strength with compassion and grace.