PWD Minister and the mentor of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Ramakrishna, alias Sudin Dhavalikar, who was highly tipped to be the next chief minister of Goa may have been lost somewhere in the race.
If the rumour mills are to be believed, MGP and Sudin both had a golden chance to form the next government in the state with several top-leaders ready to switch loyalty to them.
Talks were that Congress’ Cumbharjua legislator Pandurang Madkaikar was the first to join the party and would be followed with the entry of Quepem MLA Chandrakant, alias Babu Kavlekar.
Sources also revealed that Naresh Sawal and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte were also on the door-step of MGP.
Besides, rumour mills also suggested Sattari prince Vishwajit Rane was in talks with Sudin for a party ticket just in case his demands are not met by the Congress.
However, all this seems to have gone in vain due to Sudin’s bonhomie with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who is also Goa desk election in-charge of BJP and so also Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Sources also reveal Sudin will not go against Gadkari, since the latter has sanctioned works nearly worth Rs 10,000 cr to Goa, including Zuari bridge and National Highways.
“After doing all the hard work Sudin does not want the projects to go in someone else’s hands,” sources reveal.
While the Congress leaders were also set to move to the MGP, what went wrong was Sudin’s failure to assure the tickets from the respective constituencies to the incoming leaders.
The MGP and BJP are still to decide on the seat-sharing, which both party leaders say would be done once the election code of conduct is in force.
Sources revealed that Madkaikar had almost taken a decision to join MGP but wanted an assurance from Sudin on the ticket, which he failed to give.
“Are you ready to contest as an independent if not given ticket? The MGP will support you from outside,” sources quoted Sudin as telling Madkaikar in case the Cumbharjua seat goes to BJP.
This changed the entire game for Sudin as the word spread to all leaders aspiring to join MGP.
It has affected the leaders’ entry so much that independent MLA Naresh Sawal and former MLA Vijay Pai Khot, who were sure shot to join MGP, are also thinking of contesting as independents again.
Sources with the MGP also reveal that the party is content with three seats of Madkai, Priol and Ponda and isn’t looking beyond this for now.
When contacted for his comments, Sudin, who has refused to make a comment so far on the issue, says “nothing has been decided on the issue so far. Seat sharing will be decided only once the code of conduct comes into force.”
