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RECLAIMING STRONGHOLD
* Cumbarjua MGP president Narayan Verlekar says the executive committee members felt Cumbarjua was a MGP stronghold in the past, the party should field its candidate in forthcoming polls
* Hence, the Cumbarjua MGP block executive committee passed a resolution a few days ago demanding that the party should field a candidate in Cumbharjua constituency, he said
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THE MADKAIKAR GAMBLE
A supporter sees logic in Madkaikar joining the MGP ...
* If AAP fields candidate, it would eat into the votes of Congress
* If that happens, it could affect the Congress candidate's chances
* With no BJP presence in Cumbarjua, Madkaikar would be unbeatable
* MGP could be a kingmaker in the next government formation
* An addition of Cumbarjua seat would only bolster its bargaining power
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OLD GOA:
This decision assumes significance as during the last Assembly elections, both parties had not fielded candidates in the constituency even though there was a BJP-MGP alliance in the State and instead, had, supported independent candidate.
When questioned about MGP's probable candidate, Cumbarjua MGP president Narayan Verlekar did not give a clear answer but also did not deny nor confirm whether MGP would rope in Madkaikar to contest on its ticket.
What has fuelled the rumours is that during the birthday celebrations of Madkaikar, there were no posters with the Congress symbol of “hand”.
Despite repeated efforts, Madkaikar was not available to confirm or deny the rumours, but some close supporters of Madkaikar said the MLA had not told them if he had any plans to join MGP.
“We have read about these reports in the local media. But Madkaikar has not told us anything on whether or not he is intending to join MGP,” Sao Mathias Sarpanch Prashant Harvalkar told The Goan.
Another staunch supporter, Jerry D’Souza, however, saw logic in Madkaikar joining the MGP. “Though the MLA has not told us anything over the MGP rumours, we will support him if he takes a decision in this direction,” D’Souza added.
D’Souza further opined that if the AAP fields a candidate in the constituency, AAP would eat into Congress votes, which could affect the Congress candidate's chances.
“If, however, Madkaikar contests on the MGP ticket, he would be unbeatable in Cumbharjua constituency, especially since the BJP has a limited presence there,” he informed.
One other factor which supports the theory of Madkaikar joining MGP is the fact that MGP could be a kingmaker in the next government formation and an addition of Cumbarjua seat would only bolster its bargaining power.
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Kavlekar stands by Cong, but
wants to be on 'winning side'
CURCHOREM: Reacting to speculations that he is being eyed by the MGP party, Quepem's Congress MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar said he still likes the Congress, but has dropped sufficient hints that he is open to other parties which support him.
Kavlekar was responding to claims by Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) President Deepak Dhavalikar that two Congress MLAs, one from North Goa and another from South, were likely to join MGP.
Asked if he was that South Goa Congress MLA who was being approached by the MGP, Kavlekar neither agreed nor denied the rumours about him joining the MGP party, but reiterated that he wanted to be on “the winning side” to develop Quepem constituency.
“The Congress party should focus on strengthen its position in the State. Congress candidates must focus on winning more seats rather than lobbying for the chief minister's post should Congress win the elections,” Kavlekar told The Goan.
Kavlekar neither agreed nor denied possibilities of joining hands with any like-minded party who would support him, adding that he “shares cordial relations with everyone in politics.”
“I have read about reports in the media that a South Goa Congress MLA is being approached by the MGP party. Every party is working to garner support and to include candidates who can win seats in the 2017 elections. Many parties have asked me join them but as a true Congressman I have decided to stay with Congress party,” he added.
But the three-time Congress MLA was clearly unhappy about the state of affairs within his party.
“I like the Congress party and have been in the same party since the last 17 years. But at the same time, I am not happy with happenings in the Congress party. Internal clashes and rivalry will adversely affect the party,” he added.
That the Quepem MLA is open to other parties was evident when Kavlekar said he wanted to be on the “winning side” in the next elections.
“I want Quepem constituency to remain with the winning side because by being in the opposition, many of my development works are proceeding at a snail's pace and youth from Quepem constituency don't get government jobs.”
“Taking these factors into consideration, I feel that this time I want my constituency to be with the winning side,” but declined to name any party that would be on the winning side.
Local analysts have, however, speculated if the MGP bags 4-5 seats, it could well be in that “winning side”, given its willingness to support any party to form the next government.
