Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major setback to ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that had been eyeing a pre-poll understanding with its former partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the State’s oldest regional political outfit on Monday announced that it would contest the upcoming 2022 elections in alliance with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The MGP Central Committee meeting that was chaired by party president Pandurang (Deepak) Dhavalikar, unanimously resolved to forge an alliance with TMC for the State polls, due in February next year. The party has
demanded 12 seats, which they claim, has been agreed in principle by TMC.
A joint official announcement on the alliance is expected during Mamata Benerjee’s visit to Goa on December 13.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, Dhavalikar said the party’s central committee resolved to have the alliance with TMC in the interest of Goa and Goans. He said that preliminary talks on alliance with TMC have concluded.
“Both parties have joined hands to provide good governance to the people of Goa. The aim is to keep BJP and Congress out of power,” he said, while adding that the possibility of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiv Sena joining the force exists.
Details like who would be the chief ministerial face (of the alliance) would be worked out later, most probably by January 15, next year, he said, while maintaining that both the alliance partners will have equal share, once voted to power.
MGP, which had won three seats in the 2017 polls, currently has just one MLA after two of its legislators joined the ruling BJP. The party was part of the BJP-led government from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar was dropped from the cabinet and subsequently, the party withdrew its support to the government.
Before that, in 2012, MGP had gone to the polls in alliance with BJP and managed to form the government with a complete majority.
Speaking further, Dhavalikar said there is a wave against the BJP and people want a change and they will be able to form a government in the State.
Dhavalikar said an impression was being created that MGP did not have any option other than the BJP. “We have always been criticizing BJP. We were in talks with all other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress and the TMC but never had any talks with BJP,” he said.
The BJP, on the other hand, were making efforts to align with MGP for the polls. “We have seen how BJP treated us when in power, how we were insulted and used,” he said.
The MGP chief claimed that 60 per cent of the people in the State are yet to decide who to vote for and hence this option has been provided to them. He said MGP can contest the elections on its own, but considering the current political scenario, it has been decided to go for a pre-poll alliance.
On seat sharing, Dhavalikar said that TMC has in-principle agreed to give MGP 12 seats where the party has finalized candidates. These seats include Ponda, Priol, Madkai, Shiroda, Mandrem, Pernem, Sanvordem, Curchorem, Bicholim, Aldona and Dabolim.
Asked whether the MGP voter will accept this alliance considering the TMC standing in West Bengal, Dhavalikar said, “Irrespective of TMC ideology in Bengal, in Goa, we will work as per people’s wish.”
Later addressing the media, TMC MP and Goa in-charge Mahua Moitra said, “Our alliance is a wonderful blend since TMC has the fighting spirit and MGP has a deep-rooted history in Goa. The distribution of seats and formation of the State executive committee will be declared by Mamata Banerjee during her two-day visit.”
AITC National Vice President and MP Luizinho Faleiro termed the occasion as the ‘second liberation of Goa’, and said, “Winds of change are blowing through Goa. This alliance will help us get rid of divisive forces, corruption, unemployment, closure of mines, nepotistic and tyranny laden government.”
TMC leader and ex-MLA Kiran Kandolkar said, “TMC and MGP will form a government that works for the people and the betterment of Goa. We ask everyone who thinks on similar lines to join our fight against the current BJP government.”
Earlier, MGP president Dhavalikar met Moitra and Faleiro at the Goa TMC office where he was felicitated and a board resolution detailing the blueprint of the alliance was signed.
