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PANJIM: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) is facing the danger of losing its identity symbol “Lion” if it does not score 80,000 votes and hence is probing the possibility of forging an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But more than the MGP, it appears that BJP needs the former more in the ensuing Assembly election.
Not surprisingly, BJP has made desperate efforts to successfully wrap up alliance talks even though MGP has kept it on tenterhooks for over a month now.
BJP’s worry stems from the fact that in the event there is no alliance between the two parties, it could mar its chances of retaining its seats in some of the constituencies, specifically in Bicholim and Pernem.
The BJP’s presence in both these constituencies has already been weakened by the exit of Rajesh Patnekar and Dayanand Sopte whereas MGP has some vote bank in both these constituencies.
In the 2007 elections, MGP candidate polled 2873 votes in Pernem while in Bicholim its candidate got 2093 votes. The BJP has more worries in Pernem where it is likely to field its chief spokesperson Rajendra Arlekar who is new to the constituency.
The BJP’s ticket aspirant in Pernem, Vithu Morajkar has apparently started campaigning in favour of Babu Azgaonkar after he got the hint that he is not in the reckoning for the ticket.
The BJP is frantic to make a comeback and is seen capitalising on rampant corruptions of the Congress-led government. “This itself will not suffice to win required seats. The split in votes could spoil our chances though MGP’s strength has been declining continuously,” said a BJP insider.
BJP wants to plug the split in votes in all possible constituencies in
In Cumbharjua it had backed independent candidate Nirmala Sawant. Sawant polled 9445 votes whereas Congress candidate Pandurang Madkaikar got 10016 votes. The MGP candidate though got just 592 votes it could have made a huge difference if there was no division of votes.
The MGP lost its presence in Cumbharjua after Pandurang Madkaikar quit the party. Madkaikar who was elected on MGP ticket in 2002, joined BJP in August 2003. He was one of the three MLAs who quit BJP in 2005 bringing down the BJP-led government.
Another constituency where the BJP needs to be wary of MGP is Mayem. Both parties are almost on par in this constituency. The MGP candidate had polled 4590 votes while BJP seating MLA Anant Shet 5370 votes.
The BJP could be in serious trouble in this constituency if MGP chose to put a strong candidate, and usurp into its votes.
The alliance could also prove crucial in Shiroda constituency where its candidate won with a narrow margin of 249 votes. The BJP’s first time MLA Mahadev Naik polled 9725 votes whereas Congress’ Subhash Shirodkar – 9476 and MGP candidate – 701.
Poll results show that MGP which once reigned supreme was relegated to the bottom but could still throw surprises if the party decides to field strong and young candidates.
