MARGAO
When his attention was drawn to UGDP Vice-president Adv Radharao Gracias’ statement that Mickky is now maintaining distance from the BJP out of fear that people will reject the GVP in the coming election, Mickky reminded that the UGDP and Radharao had once forged an alliance with the BJP after the 2002 election. “I had contested and won the Assembly poll on the UGDP banner. I know for sure that the UGDP had an alliance with the BJP at that time. Radharao should know that the UGDP was an alliance partner of the BJP after the 2002 election,” he said.
Mickky took strong exception to Radharao’s remarks that the GVP is facing an uncertain future with Caitu distancing himself from the party coupled with the differences emerging in the party executive. “Radharao should know that the GVP is having two MLAs as legislators, unlike other parties such as the UGDP which are virtually non-existent in the state.”
Asked whether he supports the ongoing moves amongst the regional players to forge an alliance ahead of the 2017 election, Mickky shot back “instead of going around the state to find people to lead the alliance, leaders of these non-existent political parties should join the Goa Vikas Party, which had proved itself in the 2012 election. I can assure them that they can join and take control of the party executive.” The Nuvem MLA said his decision to distance himself from the BJP stems from the fact that the ruling government has failed to deliver the goods over the last four years. “You name any issue, be it special status for Goa, Medium of Instruction, mining, Regional Plan etc., the government has failed to solve these issues. No doubt, I had supported the BJP after the 2012 election, but I have also been critical of it,” he asserted.
