Goa Polls 2022: MGP-BJP alliance confirmed, only seat sharing details to be finalised

PANAJI: Post a series of meetings between senior office-bearers of the Maharashtra Gomantakwadi Party (MGP) and the BJP, both in Mumbai and in Goa, including a meeting between MGP supremo Sudin Dhavalikar and BJP Goa in-charge and former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis last night, the broad contours of a poll alliance seem to have been worked out.

This was evident from the fact that Goa CM Pramod Sawant interrupted a press conference by Sudin Dhavalikar at the State secretariat, piped in and said “we will be together in the Assembly next term”, a hint that the two – Sawant and Dhavalikar have burried the hatchet.

Meetings over the last 15 days had set the ball rolling for a BJP-MGP alliance in Goa, it is learnt, after talks between the Aam Aadmi Party and the MGP failed.

The alliance nitty-gritty and seat sharing is likely to be finalized within the next two weeks and may be announced soon, even before Diwali, sources said.

The MGP is demanding 8 to 12 seats, including the constituencies of Madkai, Priol, Shiroda, Sanvordem, Pernem, Mandrem and Ponda, it is learnt.

The MGP was in talks for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but things did not work out and both parties have almost ruled out the possibility of an alliance for 2022. According to sources the MGP found the AAP’s demands unrealistic and unreasonable, given the fact that the AAP does not have a single MLA in the coastal state.

The MGP is ready for an alliance with the BJP, but has set some terms and riders, including keeping out 2 or 3 MLAs who were with the MGP earlier, but switched to the BJP overnight, from being given tickets the forthcoming polls.