PANJIM: Giving clear vibes of strained relations with BJP government with its members being unhappy over its functioning, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) – coalition partner is in favour of contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election taking Narendra Modi-led NDA.
However, the final decision to contest would only be taken six months prior to polls.
Addressing the media, MGP President, Deepak ‘Pandurang’ Dhavalikar said, “The party’s central committee on Monday decided to prepare to contest the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha polls on our own and accordingly decided to start the preparations for the same. We are getting prepared to contest Lok Sabha polls but final call would be only taken at later stage, may be six months prior to the polls.”
“The MGP in the last elections had got 13 percent of the total votes and with that the party has now decided to expand and restart its work in various constituencies where it had contested during last Assembly election. The committee will also decide the future course of action in regards to upcoming Lok Sabha and Zilla Panchayat polls” said Dhavalikar.
He disclosed that few of its members were unhappy over the functioning of State government as they felt that the administration had collapsed in the State while also claiming that government had indeed failed to solve some of the issues such as casinos, drugs, unemployment, Regional Plan, etc.
“A few of our members are unhappy over the functioning of State government as they feel that the administration has collapsed in the State. The party has decided that it will wait and watch for six-eight months and if something intolerable is found then further action would be taken. Also with the Lok Sabha polls approaching, the committee has decided to adopt a resolution to extend its term by another two years otherwise which would have expired in December 2017,” Dhavalikar added.
However, taking a dig at Goa Forward Party (GFP) president’s statement on the MGP stand on joining NDA, Dhavalikar said that his party will not accept any criticism from any political force.
Meanwhile, MGP president refused to state that the party will withdraw support to BJP-led government while stating that they have been keeping a close watch on the government’s performance.
