TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The MGP is still playing the role of the unattainable bride to two of its most ardent suitors – the Congress and the BJP. Irrespective of its final choice, it will become a femme fatale for at least one of them.
It is becoming increasingly clear that while it is toying with the BJP and the Congress, differences between the Dhavalikar brothers has further compounded matters. Deepak Dhavalikar, the party president and most of the MGP favour a pre and a post poll alliance with the BJP. Sudin Dhavalikar, mainly because of his closeness with Pratapsingh Rane, does not want the Congress doors to be shut.
Speaking to Herald, Sudin Dhavlikar said, “Our stand on the medium of instruction makes it impossible for us to contest the polls with the Congress, but I see no harm in joining a Congress government after the elections”. He certainly saw no contradiction in these two stands.
On the alliance with the BJP, Dhavlikar said “We need 80,000 votes and therefore want a minimum of 12 seats from the BJP. If that works out, we are open to an alliance but if not, we will contest 16 seats on our own and keep post-poll options open.”
For the BJP, the alliance is critical since it may well be the deciding factor in forming the next government. A free floating MGP will actually cut BJP’s votes especially in the Satari and Ponda belt.
Conversely, the Congress’ best bet now is for the MGP to contest on its own since a formal alliance looks very difficult. A BJP-MGP alliance will be a body blow not just to the Congress but to the senior most Congress leader and
Speaking to Herald, AICC secretary in-charge of Goa Sudhakar Reddy said, “The MGP alliance issue is not closed. They are still a part of the government and are our allies.”
