Despite BJP emerging as the single largest party and being in a comfortable position to form the next government with the support of three Independents, it still seeks to embrace regional outfit Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to pre-empt any crisis and also with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
However, there is still a lot of opposition to the MGP’s support since it would involve giving up one crucial cabinet berth. There is also a section which strongly feels that Sudin Dhavlikar will not back Pramod Sawant if he’s the Chief Minister.
There is division within the BJP MLAs with regards to either inducting the MGP MLA into the Cabinet or even seeking its support. At least four BJP MLAs – Ravi Naik, Mauvin Godinho, Govind Gaude and Babush Monserrate – have openly opposed the move to induct Dhavalikar into the cabinet. Monserrate has even demanded that Dhavalikar may be inducted in the cabinet only if MGP merges with the BJP given the past bitter experience.
Monserrate clearly said to reporters on the first day of the Assembly session, “Why does MGP want to support? If they want to be a part of the government and get all the benefits they should merge their party with BJP. We have seen their monkey tricks towards the end of the term.”
The BJP national leaders are looking for support from the MGP and want to take the party on board till the next Lok Sabha polls due in 2024 and, more important, is that Goa is known for defections. The BJP leaders who spoke to MGP leaders have advised its party MLAs who have been opposed to the idea to keep quiet.
In the 2022 Assembly polls, BJP won 20 seats, short of one seat for a simple majority in the 40-Member House. After the MGP and three Independents extended their support to the ruling party, four BJP MLAs strongly opposed the induction of Dhavalikar in the Cabinet.
Again after the 2017 elections, the MGP extended support to the Parrikar-led government following a fractured mandate but again Dhavalikar was dropped from the cabinet before the end of the term.
