PANJIM: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) said the saffron party in Goa will be their first choice to have an alliance with for the forth-coming assembly polls.
Speaking to Herald, MGP leaders said they will either have a pre-poll or a post-poll alliance with BJP depending on the dialogue.
“MGP will ask for 14 seats with BJP as a part of a pre-poll alliance. The negotiations are yet to start. We will put the issues before the central committee and if required, we will call a general body meeting,” Sudin Dhavalikar said.
“BJP is the party which we feel comfortable with. But if they don’t agree, we can go alone. We can’t have a tie-up with the Congress. Either pre-poll or post poll, we will be with BJP,” he said.
Dhavalikar said MGP cannot ally with any other party other than BJP.
“In the past, we formed government with Congress and again with BJP. People started calling us jokers. We aren’t jokers. Whomsoever we joined hands with, we have done it for the welfare of Goa. Since we have done good job, the people have recognized our worth. We are working for the welfare of the state, other parties should also do so,” he said.
Dhavalikar who is presently a minister in the Parsekar cabinet said that BJP after winning 21 seats during 2012 assembly election should have worked to ensure that they won the 2017 elections on their own. “But thst did not happen. I don’t think anyone can form the government on their own. Alliance is the only option,” he said.
Dhavalikar said various issues like Medium of instruction, official language status to Marathi, development of Goa, casino eradication will be considered while deciding on alliance with BJP.
He said the MGP is not for selfish politics and they will announce their stand after the elections are declared.
Dhavalikar said they have already received a proposal from NCP to form a grand alliance, which they have already rejected.
“There was a proposal from NCP to have a grand alliance. NCP high command had sent the proposal wherein 18 seats would be fought by us, seven for Goa Forward and NCP each, four for Atanasio Monseratte-led party (which is yet to be formed) and Goa Vikas Party each. They want to keep BJP and Congress out,” he said.
He said that there is also a proposal from Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch. “They want us to sever ties with BJP and join hands with them for the election,” Dhavalikar said.
