MAPUSA
BJP’s State election in-charge, Devendra Fadnavis arrived in the State on Tuesday and met some key ministers in the government and MLAs of the party in an attempt to learn their views on forging an alliance with MGP for the forthcoming assembly elections in the State.
Initially, the BJP and especially Chief Minister Pramod Sawant maintained a rigid stand against any alliance formation but off late some of the party leaders have been stressing the importance of forming an alliance with the MGP.
The CM, on Monday, hinted that there was a possibility for BJP to tie up with like-minded parties for the 2022 elections and the MGP could be its natural ally.
Fadnavis met Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Ports Minister Michael Lobo among others in a city hotel. He also had a meeting with Utpal Parrikar, son of former CM, late Manohar Parrikar, who has expressed his desire to contest the election from Panaji seat.
Soon after meeting Fadnavis, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said the BJP was moving in the right direction and party leaders will take the right decision (on alliance).
“BJP has the capacity to take the right decision at the right time. We need to maintain contact with the people and the expectations of the people of Goa and we are moving in the right direction,” Godinho said, when questioned whether there was a discussion of alliance during his meeting with Fadnavis.
Godinho has been on record on the need of having an alliance with the MGP for the forthcoming assembly polls in the State.
According to Ports Minister Michael Lobo, the code of conduct could be implemented by the end of December or first week of January 2022. He said Fadnavis discussed with him the political situation in the State and various strategies to be adopted during the election.
“The BJP and MGP leadership will decide on the alliance. MGP will get their numbers…three, four or five,” Lobo said, hinting that MGP could be given those many seats if at all, alliance of BJP and MGP takes place.
He also said that his wife Delilah Lobo will definitely contest the election from Siolim and could contest as an Independent candidate.
“There are many parties or she (Delilah) may contest as an Independent candidate. As of now, we have not asked for a ticket from BJP,” he said.
Fadnavis has also met State Party President, Sadanand Tanavde and State party organizing secretary Satish Dhond.
Later in the night, Fadnavis is expected to meet and hold talks on alliance with senior MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar and MGP’s party President Pandurang Dhavlikar.
