PANJIM: Despite resentment within the State BJP workers over ties with MGP, the party high command has decided to go ahead with plans to contest the ensuing 2017 general assembly elections in alliance with the regional party.
The alliance, however, depends on reaching a seat-sharing arrangement as MGP is likely to demand 14 seats.
At its recent election review meeting in Delhi, BJP National president Amit Shah, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and State party president Vinay Tendulkar agreed to align with the MGP for the polls.
“The party high command has resolved to continue ties with its current ally for the forthcoming polls as well. The seat-sharing formula between the two parties is underway based on which it will finally be decided whether or not BJP-MGP should contest the polls jointly,” a senior party official told Herald.
A majority of BJP workers have consistently demanded that the party sever ties with MGP. During its State executive meetings, the workers asked the leaders to drop the regional party from the government listing complaints against PWD Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar’s working style.
Hinting at contesting the 2017 elections alone, the MGP had thereafter launched a massive membership drive in all 40 constituencies. Denying bitter relations with BJP, Dhavalikar had stated that the party would continue the alliance for 10 years.
On Friday, Dhavalikar said he is happy with the BJP decision. “We have been saying since the beginning that we want to continue with the alliance. It is a good decision and both parties will be strengthened.” He, however, refused to comment on the seat-sharing arrangement. “It’s premature to speak on the topic. In the next one year we want to do more and more good work so that people vote for us.”
