Herald:  In the past few days there is a speculation that MGP will merge into BJP, is it true?

DEEPAK DHAVALIKAR: There is no proposal to merge the party. All the news about the merger of MGP with BJP is false. All our leaders and members are united and there is no such proposal. Some people are trying to spread such rumours for their own political benefit. I warn that the party will take strict action against the media if their spreading such false rumours. The media should at least contact us for the correct information from us before filing any news reports. There are attempts to malign the image of Goa’s oldest party.

Herald:  If there is a possible change in the leadership due to absence of Parrikar, will the MGP support it?

DHAVALIKAR: The party will support BJP as long as Manohar Parrikar is the Chief Minister. MGP will be a coalition partner in the government only till Manohar Parrikar is the Chief Minister of the State. At present the situation is grim and we all pray that the Chief Minister recovers and comes back, until that we will have to face difficulties and we as a party are ready to face, even the people and the opposition have said they ready to face the pain for sometime

Herald:   In Chief Minster’s absence, do you foresee the state going for mid-term elections?

DHAVALIKAR: Looking at the present political situation, it looks like there might be early elections in the State. The situation is very tense and this being a coalition government anything can happen. We have begun preparations to go alone in the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls if they come early. MGP will be a coalition partner in the government only till Manohar Parrikar is the Chief Minister of the State. At present the situation is grim and we all pray that the Chief Minister recovers and comes back.

Herald:  Since MGP lost its crucial seats in the recent elections and also thinking about possible future, was the party of the view that it should be merged into BJP?

DHAVALIKAR: There are attempts to malign the image of Goa’s oldest party. MGP will continue to march forward strong. MGP is the oldest regional political front and has consistently been represented in the Goa Legislative Assembly since 1963. Ours is a party which is deeply rooted in the state’s politics and society. At no time we will ever think of merging it. The party will continue contesting all the upcoming elections. The 12-13 per cent vote share during the 2017 Assembly election was an indication that the people still support MGP.