PANAJI
Tensions between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its junior partner in the government the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) are seemingly growing over contentious assembly seats.
After Mandrem, which is held by the MGP's Jit Arolkar, it's now Priol where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant publicly stated that there will be a "BJP candidate" at the 2027 Assembly elections.
Sawant made the statement while addressing BJP workers at Priol and also added that there will be no climb down from this position that the party will field a candidate from the constituency in 2027.
"Those who do not agree with this should leave now. There will be no compromise whatsoever. If this is acceptable, then wait, or else you are free to go. I am not afraid of telling this to anyone,” Sawant declared while speaking at a public meeting.
Recently there was speculation over Mandrem's Arolkar joining the BJP leading to the MGP workers in the taluka announcing that they will field a candidate in Mandrem at all costs, even if Arolkar joins the saffron party.
In Priol, MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar, is eyeing the constituency which he represented twice but lost two successive elections in 2017 and 2022 to current MLA and Sports Minister Govind Gaude.
Power Minister and MGP stalwart, Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, meanwhile, reacted to Sawant's statement in a conciliatory tone arguing that the current situation warrants that 'Hindutva' forces must work together.
Chief Minister must have made the statement to motivate party workers, he said.
"We will trust whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tell us regarding the BJP-MGP alliance," Dhavalikar said.
