PANAJI
With the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on the rocks, the moot question is can the MGP damage the BJP in crucial constituencies?
When the MGP fought alone in 2007 it garnered 8.65 per cent of the vote while the BJP got 30.32 per cent.
In 2007, the MGP had contested 26 seats and won only in two constituencies “ Priol and Marcaim while the BJP has contested 33 seats and won 14.
At the subsequent elections in 2012, the two had a seat arrangement as a result of which the MGP garnered 6.72 percent while the BJP’s share went up to 34.68 per cent.
This is a clear indication that nearly two per cent of the MGP’s vote share got transferred to the BJP, which gained an additional two per cent, thanks to an anti-Congress wave.
In 2012 the BJP put up candidates in 28 seats while the MGP contested in seven. The BJP managed to secure 21 seats with the total votes polled being 2,94,392; while MGP had won in three constituencies with total votes polled being 57,012.
The State BJP is confident of an increase in their vote share if it goes single.
“If we go ahead without an alliance, we are confident that our vote share will increase upto 43 per cent minimum”, said Party President Vinay Tendulkar.
“We have more MLAs than we had in 2007. BJP has carried out developmental works across the State. Additionally, we have our party workers who are active at all levels “ panchayats, zilla panchayats, municipal areas, among others”, he said.
When asked if the MJP has decided to face upcoming polls without an alliance, he said, “We don’t want to break the alliance. If they want to do it, it is their decision”, he said.
Speaking to The Goan, Senior MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar said, “Our vote share in 2012 reduced mainly because we had to field lesser number of candidates as compared to 2007 due to our pre-poll alliance with the BJP. In constituencies like Sanvordem, Pernem, Mandrem, etc, where we have sizeable number of votes, they were transferred to BJP with the seat sharing arrangement.”
“Now once again if we go independent and contest 22-23 seats, our graph of vote share will show an increase upto 13 per cent and may even touch 20 per cent mark with support from other parties. As of today, I am certain that six of our candidates will get elected. A lot will change after we announce our final decision on the alliance when the code of conduct comes into force”, said Dhavalikar.
