TG: Have you received any proposal to merge MGP with any other party? If yes, what is your stand?
Deepak Dhavalikar: I have not yet received any such proposal regarding the party merger and if any proposal comes to me, we won't allow a merger. The opposition is trying to divide the party by spreading rumours. The party had secured 13% of votes in the 2017 assembly elections and this shows that the party has made progress.
TG: Lavoo Mamledar, Amrut Agarwadekar and other MGP leaders have been openly criticising the party. Will action be initiated against them?
DD: Amrut Agarwadekar is a central committee member and will not have the right to vote in the central committee. Lavoo Mamledar is from our party and he will always be with the party.
TG:In 2012, MGP had only three MLAs and the party fared no better with the same number of MLAs in the 2017 elections. Do you think party is lagging behind?
DD: The party MLAs have not increased and in that sense, we are lagging behind. In the last election, the entire opposition had came together to defeat former Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal, former Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar and myself. The number of our MLAs may not have increased, but our voting percentage has increased and the number of MGP MLAs will increase in the future. I will work to fulfill this vision.
TG: Who are the main opponents and what sort of challenge do they pose to the MGP?
DD: All parties active in the State are in essence opponents of the MGP. Since the MGP is actively working for the people, some people from various parties do not want the MGP to survive in politics. All opponents are coming together to eliminate the MGP.
TG: Will MGP fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
DD: The MGP is keen to contest the Lok Sabha election, but the central committee will take decision in this regard when Lok Sabha elections are announced.
TG: What are your plans to strengthen the party?
DD: The MGP's central committee will be given two years of extension to increase the work of party. During these two years, committees will be reconstituted in 26 constituencies and new committees will be established in 14 other constituencies. New committees will be set up in Salcete and Momugao talukas. The aims and policies will be decided according to changes taking place in the party.
TG: From which constituency do you intend to contest the next assembly elections?
DD: As president of the party, it is my responsibility to work in all constituencies. Taking up this responsibility I have the capacity to contest elections in Priol or any other constituency in Ponda taluka.
TG: What are MGP plans for the youth and women in the State?
DD: We will involve women and youth and make them active in the party. Youth leaders will be given priority in committees across various constituencies. Women committees will also be established within the next two years.
