Herald: There are indications that the BJP-MGP will form an alliance again for 2017 assembly polls. However, there are some teething issues which need to be sorted out. Can you please elaborate on those?
Lavoo Mamledar: Yes, we want an alliance but the BJP has to prove through their actions they need to form a partnership again. Especially, after 2012 election results the BJP got a thin majority of 21 seats but seemed to have become very arrogant after that as they felt they have become superior and do not need MGP in future.
Herald: Can you please give certain examples of their behavioiur?
Mamledar: The reason being Sudin Dhavalikar was made the PWD minister but the majority of works were carried out through the GSIDC. Similarly, Dipak was given berth in the cabinet but with with some irrelevant portfolios. Even me they had promised a good corporation but in the end was given handicrafts which was not wanted by any of the BJP MLAs. Also, the MGP Central Committee members were promised positions in the corporations but the BJP never kept its words.
Herald: Were the issues only with regards portfolios?
Mamledar: No they did not just stop there, Their workers and leaders have time and again made statements that they need no alliance with the MGP and hence Sudin and Dipak be removed from the cabinet. There seems to be no control of the BJP on their leaders as no action is being initiated on outbursts against MGP. It looked like they were speaking on the instructions of the BJP leaders.
Herald: What are the issues in Ponda, Priol and Madkai?
mamledar: In Ponda, the BJP defacto MLA, I do not want to name anyone, has made statement that whether or not there is an alliance he would contest elections. The situation was such that I am not allowed to take up any development works and common man is being harassed. I tried to take up many development projects but the BJP members worked overtime to see that those are not approved for example the Kranti Maidan, Sewerage Treatment plant, Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, the underground cabling which was approved in first budget has still not been taken up.
In many other issues I am not getting any co-operation from the government for being and MGP MLA. The BJP MLAs are not looking into the interests of t0he MGP, which is an alliance partner.
Even in Priol constituency the situation was the same as the BJP workers tried their best to defeat Dipak Dhavalikar in 2012 elections.
Herald: There is an issue of sopo in Ponda market which is not sorted out due to political reasons. Your view?
Mamledar: I tried my best to sort this issue but for for one and half year it has remained unsolved. Even CM tried to intervene but to no avail as he backed out midway. The BJP ministers also saw that the PMC officials don’t work legally in the case. Also, the footpath encroachment has not been cleared despite the High Court Directions. I tried to clear the footpaths with help of the councillors and police but I have received no co-operation from the government.
Herald: You also had your problems with Radhika Naik, chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council, isn’t it?
Mamledar: Well, I am against those who are troubling the common man for example in this case the market vendors. Let me explain when the sopos was Rs 3 per square meter the PMC was earning Rs 65 lakhs through its tender but now the sopo is increased to Rs 10 for open market and Rs 20 for those under shade in 2013 but still the PMC instead of giving the tender for more amount Rs 61 lakhs only, when the amount should have gone up proportionately. Hence this smacks of corruption from the PMC.
Instead I would say the government should have helped these vendors and waived off these sopo, who are 200 in numbers.
Herald: From your statements though its seems difficult that a alliance with BJP could be struck?
Mamledar: On alliance the BJP has to prove from their actions that they really are honest on alliance issue. I am worried about their statements as the BJP leadership is making and no efforts to diffuse the tension. We still have one year and they have to prove from their actions that they want an alliance with the MGP and not just for namesake. In 2012 it was decided to keep the alliance for 15 years but there have been violations of those conditions and agreements. Hence until there is improvement we can’t think of keeping this alliance till 2027.
Herald: So the MGP is not committed to alliance as of now?
Mamledar: We want alliance but we want to see that they improve their action. We do not want a situation like in 1999 when at 30 clock in the morning it was announced by the BJP that there would be no alliance and with just 14 hours left for the nominations to close the MGP was running from pillar to post to find suitable candidates.
Hence, we have started working in 25 constituencies but have not announced the candidates just in case the alliance takes place they should not get disappointed.
