In what could be an electoral jolt for the BJP, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party on Thursday, formally snapped ties with the ruling party, while also strongly hinting at an alliance with a political party floated by sacked State RSS chief Subhash Velingkar and possibly the Shiv Sena.
Addressing a Press Conference in Panaji, State MGP president Deepak Dhavalikar said that a letter informing of the party’s decision to break the alliance with the BJP, had been dispatched to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Speaker of the Goa legislative assembly Anant Shet.
“Now that upon declaration of 2017 Assembly elections by the Election Commission, the Central committee of the MGP which had decided not to continue the relations with BJP and not to have any more alliance for 2017 election, now upon confirmation of the said decision, today has resolved to break up the alliance and relation with BJP with immediate effect,” the letter written by Deepak Dhavalikar said.
The State president also said, that there was no possibility of the two parties, the MGP and BJP, coming together as allies for the upcoming state assembly elections. “It is too late for that now,” Dhavalikar said.
The BJP and the MGP had entered into an alliance for the 2012 state assembly elections, in which the BJP won 21 seats and the regional party won three seats in the 40-member Goa legislative Assembly.
last month however, consistent criticism of the leadership of Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar, had resulted in the latter sacking two ministers, Deepak and his brother Sudin Dhavalikar from the state cabinet.
While the BJP had maintained that there was still scope for the alliance to continue for the upcoming elections, the MGP had said that they would call off the alliance after the Election Commission of India announced the model code of conduct -- which eventually was announced on Wednesday.
Deepak Dhavalikar now claims that the MGP, which is known for its grip over its traditional base of OBC and conservative Hindu households, will contest 22 seats, mostly in the Goan hinterland, where the two vote-banks wield considerable clout.
"We are prepared to contest in 28 seats, but we will be fielding candidates in 22 for now," Dhavalikar said.
He also said that the MGP had an in-principle agreement with a new political party started by rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar, whose targeting of the local BJP and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had resulted in his expulsion as the Sanghachalak for the Goa region.
"We have an in-principle agreement with the Goa Suraksha Manch. They had not got a poll symbol from the Election Commission yet. The moment they do, we will formally announce an alliance," he said.
The MGP-GSP alliance is also likely to be strengthened by the Shiv Sena who has already announced an alliance with the party mentored by Velingkar, which could compound problems for the BJP.
The BJP meanwhile maintains that the snapping of the alliance will not impact the party's poll plans and the results.
"BJP is better prepared than other parties for these elections. Their decision to break the relationship will not impact our performance," BJP spokesperson Narendra Savoikar told The Pioneer.
"Every party has the right to take a decision about itself. They have taken a decision. This happens in a democracy," he also said.