MARGAO
Amidst speculations that the Bharatiya Janata Party was eyeing two Congress MLAs, one each from North and South Goa, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar on Tuesday said that Congress MLAs, who believe in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar are welcome to join the ruling party.
He, however, asserted that the BJP will not break the MGP, even as he termed the recent reports that two MGP MLAs and the party will merge with the BJP as rumours.
During an informal chat with the media on the sidelines of launching of Skill Development Centre, South, here, on Tuesday, Tendulkar did not rule out the possibility of many persons, including ex-MLAs, councillors embracing the BJP to strengthen the party.
“The Prime Minister is expected to come to Goa on March 7. We will get the confirmation of the PM’s visit by Wednesday. Ahead of PM’s visit, there may be some persons, who may embrace the BJP in order to strengthen the hands of the PM and Chief Minister,” he said.
He, however, said that MLAs, if any, who are willing to join the BJP, will not advertise before joining the party, saying such decisions are taken overnight.
When specifically asked whether any Congress MLA was expected to switch sides ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, Tendulkar said, “If Congress MLAs are willing to embrace the party, they are always welcome.”
On reports that two MGP MLAs may join the party in the event party president Deepak Dhavalikar contests the Shiroda by-poll, Tendulkar said there’s no truth in these reports, terming them as mere rumours. “These reports have started floating after people saw me, Goa Forward party Chief Vijai Sardesai, MGP Minister Babu Azgaonkar and Deepak Dhavalikar at the birthday celebration of our common friend. There’s no truth that two MGP MLAs and the party will merge with the BJP,” he said. In fact, the BJP state president exuded confidence that his MGP counterpart will not throw the hat in the Shiroda bypoll ring. “We will convince MGP president to see reason and not to contest. I have faith and am confident that Sudin Dhavalikar will not do such a thing,” he said, adding “there may be some differences, but they will be resolved amicably.”
