Pandurang Deepak Dhavalikar works under the shadow of brother Sudin, the PWD minister. He and his party are truly at the crossroads, having left the old MGP far behind. Dhavalikar though lives in denial and feels that there has been no change in the party which is poised to grow stronger. He spoke to GLENN COSTA
HERALD: Is the MGP of today different for the original? Given that a lot of water has flown under the bridge since the time of Bhausaheb Bandodkar?
PANDURANG DEEPAK DHAVALIKAR: No, it is not a different party, it is just the same. MGP was a strong party in the past. But the MGP MLAs who had won, had finished the party. This party was in the blood of the people, in their minds. But the MGP was finished by its own people just because of power and money till 1999. From ’99 onwards after we entered the party we started to build it up. The constitution is the same. This is the original Bahujan Samaj Party, the same ideology, the same.
HERALD: How are you planning on building up the party?
PANDURANG DEEPAK DHAVALIKAR: We have identified some 16-18 constituencies. We have installed committees in these constituencies.
Ours is the oldest regional party in the State and we are trying to build up its strength. Unless you yourself are strong, you cannot go to another party.
HERALD: What is the future for the MGP party? What are the future plans?
PANDURANG DEEPAK DHAVALIKAR: To stabilise Goa, to give governance to the State we need to remain in alliance with the BJP for 10 years. These 5 years (from 2012 onwards) and the next 5 years. (Till 2022). At this point in time we are with the BJP. We have promised to be with them for at least 10 years.
Instability will not develop Goa. No doubt we are the oldest party. But, we know where we stand. The Centre is with the BJP, so I think we can do a lot for Goa while keeping the MGP identity.
I think we on the right track to take the oldest party forward for the people of Goa.
