PANAJI
Fresh signs of unease have surfaced in the ruling alliance, with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader and Power Minister Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar publicly asking Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to refrain from making adverse political remarks against the MGP.
Dhavalikar’s sharp response came with respect to Sawant’s remarks during a Chaturthi-eve interview to Prudent television channel. While expressing a desire for the MGP to remain part of the ruling alliance heading into the 2027 Assembly elections, the chief minister said that the regional party should stay within the limits of its political strengths.
Reacting strongly, Dhavalikar said such comments were unnecessary and inappropriate, particularly when both parties continue to be partners in the government.
He said, MGP’s entry into the NDA coalition was a decision taken jointly with the central leadership including Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He said he would not like to make any further comments on the issues raised related to the alliance of MGP and the BJP and maintained that alliance partners should respect one another and avoid public statements that could create confusion.
Dhavalikar said the MGP ruled Goa for 17 years and the older generation still remembers its performance.
We have strength in several constituencies and any discussion on political strengths or electoral prospects should take place within alliance forums and not public platforms.
Dhavalikar also indicated that attempts to undermine the MGP’s standing would not be accepted quietly.
His remarks have once again exposed simmering friction between the BJP and the MGP, a relationship that has witnessed several ups and downs over the years. While the two parties currently share power, differences over political space and seat sharing at the 2027 assembly elections have surfaced periodically.
There have also been reports of BJP’s attempts to poach the MGP’s Mandrem MLA, Jit Arolkar.
Despite the sparring, neither side has indicated any immediate change but Dhavalikar’s unusually direct message to the chief minister has added another layer of uncertainty to Goa’s fluid pre-poll political landscape.
