PANJIM: Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has dismissed the possibility of merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that the party is united.
Over the last few days there had been much speculation of a possible merger. MGP president Pandurang (Deepak) Dhavalikar said there is no proposal to merge the party and if the Dhavalikars are there they will keep the identity of the party alive.
“All the news about the merger of MGP with BJP is false. All our leaders and members are united and there is no such proposal. Some people are trying to spread such rumours for their own political benefit,” Dhavalikar told Herald
“Nothing will happen to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and this coalition government will run and complete its entire term,” he added.
The central committee of the MGP had met on Saturday to resolve to oppose “all such moves” and retain the existence of the party in the State as an independent political entity.
However, party sources said there are differences within the MGP and a section in the central committee are firm that maintaining MGP’s identity is supreme and merger with the BJP will destroy MGP’s identity.
“There is no question of a merger with BJP. All the news that you are hearing is false and is done for political motives. Our party members and leaders are united. In the recently concluded central committee meeting possible merger was not discussed. We want to retain the existence of the party in the State as an independent political entity,” MGP general secretary Lavoo Mamledar said.
