PANAJI
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) will continue its alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but is also prepared to chart an independent course if the tie-up collapses ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, party president Deepak Dhavalikar said on Saturday.
Addressing the MGP's general body meeting in Panaji, Dhavalikar said he was keen to contest from the Shiroda constituency, subject to seat-sharing arrangements within the ruling alliance.
"I am inclined to contest from Shiroda. However, that depends on the alliance. If the alliance with the BJP breaks, we will contest independently," he said, adding that party workers had repeatedly urged him through letters to enter the fray from the constituency.
Dhavalikar said the MGP would make every effort to preserve the alliance with the BJP and was willing to make compromises for that purpose. However, he stressed that contesting separately remained an option if talks failed.
"The desire across the party is to continue the alliance. But if that does not happen, we are ready with an alternative plan," he said.
The MGP has already begun preparations in 16 constituencies and is confident of winning at least five seats on its own strength, irrespective of whether an alliance materialises, he added.
Responding to questions about the political leanings of MGP MLA Jit Arolkar, Dhavalikar asserted that Arolkar remained an MGP legislator. He said the party's parliamentary board would decide on candidates for the Assembly polls, including Arolkar's candidature.
Dhavalikar announced that a central election committee and parliamentary board would be constituted to take all decisions related to the upcoming elections. A final call on alliance arrangements would be taken by the parliamentary board once the elections are formally notified.
Referring to defections, Dhavalikar said political parties had always attempted to poach MGP legislators. "Earlier it was the Congress, now it is the BJP. Those who want to leave are free to do so, but the party remains united," he said.
The MGP chief said the party required either two to three MLAs or around eight per cent of the vote share to maintain its political relevance and recognition.
The general body meeting also passed five resolutions, including extending the tenure of the central committee from three years to five years and granting additional powers to the central and executive committees. The party also decided to establish a women's wing.
