Panjim: After Lok Sabha, the MGP, backing Congress, is looking forward to dent BJP’s vote share in some of the constituencies, for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections.
Both Congress and MGP- the former allies- have worked out an understanding to defeat the Pramod Sawant-led BJP in the December 12 polls. The political opponents, however, are not keen to forge an alliance for 2022 State Assembly elections, at least at this point.
On Monday, the Congress party extended its support to MGP candidates in Morjim, Dhargal and Torxem, while MGP declared its support to Congress’ Korgao candidate. MGP, which had fielded 17 candidates, is now focusing on only remaining 16. The Congress, on the other hand, is confident of its victory in 38 constituencies, including Korgao.
“We have worked out a political understanding with MGP and some other independent candidates. This is just a temporary arrangement for the ZP election. The arrangement is based on people’s demand and winnability,” Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat told HERALD.
MGP leader Jit Arolkar, who is currently dominating the Pernem taluka for the party, said “the arrangement is based on the present situation in Mandrem and Pernem. It is very important that the opposition unite to defeat BJP. We have to take into account the people’s mood, demand and take a call accordingly”.
This is not the first time that MGP came out in support of Congress. The party had withdrawn support to Sawant-led State government in April 2019 and backed Congress in both Lok Sabha seats- North and South and Mapusa by-elections. The party had however, fielded its candidate in Shiroda and Mandrem- both which are now with BJP.
Though the opponents are currently on tacit understanding, they are not looking forward to forge an alliance for 2022 polls at this point. Both the parties want to wait before taking any call. Especially, the Congress is little skeptical considering MGP’s past history, wherein they ditched the INC just ahead of 2012 polls to join hands with the (late) Manohar Parrikar led-BJP.
“At this point it is better not to talk about the alliance. Everyone is aware of MGP’s history. They left us just before the 2007 polls and then left BJP ahead of 2017 elections. We will have to wait to see the political equations for next one year,” a senior Congress leader said.
When Kamat was asked to comment on this, he said “for now there are no talks on an alliance for 2022”.
Even MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar maintained that there is still one year to go for State Assembly elections. “We will think about an alliance for 2022 polls when time comes. For now, it is important that oppositions are united to take on BJP,” he said.
BJP has fielded 41 candidates for ZP election; while the party has opened its account in Sancoale, after its female candidate was declared elected unopposed.
