PANJIM: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Monday said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will decide on its alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in the 2017 general assembly elections after taking into confidence all party members.
With elections due in March 2017, BJP has begun initial preparations in all constituencies and there are indications that the polls might be held in 2016, with political analysts favouring October or November for the elections.
“When there are thousands of members, different viewpoints are bound to emerge. Some MLAs too have varying opinions. We will take a call after hearing everyone. As of now, no decision has been taken,” Parrikar said in reply to a question on rumours of a split between the two parties.
State BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar also told Herald that a membership drive has started, which is a precursor to serious electioneering. “Now we are holding meetings in every constituency to enroll active members,” he said.
Sources said that at a meeting on Sunday, attended by office bearers, workers and other party members, many pushed for breaking up with the regional party alleging that an MGP minister was not accessible to BJP connected persons.
Speaking on contesting the upcoming municipal elections on party lines Tendulkar said that no decision had been taken on this.
In the Zilla Panchayat elections held in March, the first on party lines, the BJP found itself short of a majority in the North, though it managed to form panels in both districts with the help of Independents. Many ZP candidates backed by BJP stalwarts, including the chief minister, lost the elections.
