TAGLINE: The Goan Special ----------------------------------------
The Goan Network
PANAJI
Though senior leaders of the BJP and MGP have stated that their alliance will remain unshaken in the upcoming Assembly polls, MGP has started gearing up to go it alone should the need arise.
MGP senior leaders have already stated that they have started gearing up for the Assembly polls further revealing that they have begun their work in 25 constituencies. However, if the party goes ahead with the alliance, it has decided to demand 14 seats.
The preparations were evident in a Ganesh Chaturthi booklet published by a local Marathi daily which had an advertisement featuring Independent Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal alongside the name of MGP and its party symbol.
It also featured an advertisement with former BJP MLA Vijay Pai Khot, ex-MLA of Canacona constituency. The advertisements made it evident that MGP is eyeing both Bicholim as well as Canacona constituency.
When asked to comment on the same, Sawal who is presently mentoring the Goa Forward Party, said, “I am not aware about the advertisement and the MGP symbol on it, but if Lord Ganesh wants, then things will move in that direction.”
“Bicholim people have strictly advised me not to join the BJP as well as Congress. They are of the opinion that I should join the MGP,” said Sawal.
Expressing his opinion, MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar said, “We want to thank those who are with us on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Those whose photographs are featuring in this booklet, want to work for MGP in the next election. What is wrong with that? It is a good thing that they are with us.”
Pointing out that the MGP will ask for 14 seats if it goes ahead with the alliance, Dhavalikar said, “In addition to the existing three seats, we will ask for Bicholim, Cumbharjua, Valpoi, Dabolim, Santa Cruz and Porvorim too. Sawal is with us. We have already started our work in Bicholim. Bicholim workers are for MGP.”
During the Assembly polls 2012, the BJP had contested 28 seats while the MGP had contested seven including Ponda, St Cruz, Priol, Madkai, Nuvem, Quepem and Dabolim. The Bicholim seat was contested by BJP whose candidate Manohar Shirodkar had polled 5,411 votes.
