Team Herald
PANJIM: The BJP has said that it would be able to convince alliance partner – Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party – not to contest against the official candidates in Assembly by-polls in Mandrem and Shiroda.
Both the seats fell vacant after then Congress MLAs – Dayanand Sopte (Mandrem) and Subhash Shirodkar (Shiroda) – resigned to join the BJP.
BJP Goa Unit President Vinay Tendulkar told reporters on Saturday that the State level leaders would hold dialogue with MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar and would be able to convince his party not to contest the by-elections.
“We have already informed our Central leaders about MGP’s announcement to contest the by-elections. The State level leaders will hold discussions with the MGP first, and if that fails, then Central leaders will talk to them,” Tendulkar said.
The BJP leader said that he had invited Dhavalikar for a meeting but the latter was out of station. “Dhavalikar said that he would call back once he is in Goa. I am waiting for his phone,” Tendulkar said.
He said that the MGP leaders are pointing out to the equation between Shiv Sena and BJP in Maharashtra to support their stand of contesting against the official candidates in by-polls.
“The situation in Maharashtra is different; there, the Sena is calling Chaukidar, a Chor. They talk bad about our PM and our Party President. But here, (in Goa) we have cordial relationship with the MGP,” he said.
