PONDA
It may be recalled that MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar had, in an interview with The Goan, indicated his plans to shift from Priol to Shiroda constituency for the 2017 polls, if his present constituency was reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST).“There is a possibility that four constituencies in Goa may be reserved for ST. If my Priol constituency is reserved for ST, then I will have to shift to Shiroda,” Dhavalikar had said.According to Dhavalikar, he would have to contest from Shiroda constituency, where MGP has stronghold, if he has to survive in his political career.His elder brother, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar in a programme organised at Cumbarjua this week had also supported Deepak s move. He had said Deepak Dhavalikar is president of the party and whatever he had stated and wished must be in the interest of the party.When asked to react, Mahadev Naik initially refused to comment. “I don t want to talk over this issue. I have not read what Deepak Dhavalikar has said,” Naik told The Goan.“I don t know from whom he has staked claimed for the Shiroda seat. My party (BJP) will decide about the ticket when election approaches. It will also decide whether to continue the alliance with MGP or not. We will abide with party s decision, whatever it is,” said Naik.“See, I have worked for Shiroda constituency for the last 30 years. BJP recognized my contribution and I was given the ticket. I have done lot of development in Shiroda and my party knows this,” Naik said.
