PANJIM: Amidst speculation of a move to the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
Party (MGP) before the 2017 Assembly polls, Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar
said he has offers from MGP as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“The BJP as well as the MGP have sent offers to me. I haven’t decided
on anything,” Madkaikar told Herald in an exclusive interview.

He said he remains a Congressman but he is yet to decide on the future
course. “I have to consult my workers and supporters before deciding anything,”
he said.

Asked for reasons for considering switching to another party, he said,
“As I said, nothing has been decided but frankly speaking I have kept my options
open.”

He said the Congress is yet to get its act together and begin gearing
up for the polls which are just three to four months down the line. “The
Congress leadership is in a stage of hibernation and does not want to move.
They have no plan to tackle the opposition and form the government,” he said.

Madkaikar pointed out that while other parties are on an overdrive in
their poll campaign the Congress leadership appears to be sleeping. “In the
last few months several national leaders like BJP’s Amit Shaha, AAP’s Arvind
Kejriwal have been in Goa campaigning, besides Manohar Parrikar who visits
frequently,” Madkaikar said.

He said Congress does not care about Goa. “They simply do not seem to
be concerned about Goa,” he said.

Madkaikar also said that Congress should desist from giving ticket to
old faces and decide on an alliance at the earliest. “If Congress has any
chance of winning they have to decide on an alliance at the earliest. Otherwise
it is impossible to win 21 seats,” he said.