PANAJI
A day after the results of the assembly elections, MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar announced his party's unconditional support to the BJP government.
"Leaders of BJP from Delhi have contacted me and I have extended support to BJP. I have told them not to try to take away any more MGP MLAs,” said Sudin Dhavalikar at a news conference.
Dhavalikar said the decision has been taken in consultation with all stakeholders of MGP.
“Under the present situation, there is no bargaining power left with MGP so we have decided to give unconditional support. We have not asked for anything for support,” Dhavalikar said.
Given MGP’s below-par performance at the elections, Dhavalikar has mellowed down after having severely criticised Pramod Sawant’s leadership.
Dhavalikar’s latest offer indicates he has no problem with Sawant’s leadership as he has not placed any condition while lending support to the BJP.
BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade had said the BJP is ready to take MGP along as the support is unconditional.
Dhavalikar said he accepted the mandate of the people of Goa.
While stating that BJP had taken two of its candidates -- Pravin Arlekar and Premendra Shet -- before the elections, and both won, Dhavalikar said the BJP Delhi leaders assured him that they would not try to take any more leaders.
Dhavalikar admitted that the new entrant, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), had wreaked political havoc in the State by grabbing 10 per cent of the vote share.
Defending the MGP-TMC alliance and its benefit in the State, Dhavalikar said their alliance partner managed to get a 10 per cent vote share in Goa despite entering the fray barely three months before the elections.
"Some people claim MGP’s alliance with TMC has not helped MGP, but this is not true. TMC has got votes equal to RGP,” said Dhavalikar.
