BJP woos two MGP MLAs for single largest party tag

PANAJI: With chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s health showing slight deterioration, the political arena has become active again with BJP getting back to the drawing board to look at ways and means to checkmate Congress and increase its tally in the 40-member House.

Currently, Congress is the single largest party with 14 MLAs, with BJP having 13.

Political circles are abuzz that there are moves by BJP to get two of the three MLAs from its alliance partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party into its fold, which has been denied by the regional party on Monday.

There were strong rumours that these two MLAs—tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar and Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar—would join BJP on March 7 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address a rally in the state, but some said it may happen this week too.

But MGP on Monday came out strongly, evening posing together with all its MLAs with party president Pandurang ‘Deepak’ Dhavalikar, in a show of strength that they are all united.

MGP MLAs will not leave the party, says Ramkrishna Dhavalikar

“Our MLAs will not leave the party. The rumour is being spread to defame MGP and it is plotted by some politicians at a wedding reception,” PWD minister and senior MGP leader Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar said.

The party president said they had met to discuss political strategy for the byelections. “Some MLAs from a national party are in touch with us to join MGP,” he said.

Past few months has seen growing differences in the ruling alliance. With MGP deciding to contest byelections to both Mandrem and Shiroda constituencies, both BJP and Goa Forward Party leaders have been working together to convince the two MGP legislators to shift allegiance to BJP. Both MGP and GFP have three MLAs each, while three independents have also supported BJP-led government. Lone NCP MLA makes up for the 40-member House, where three seats are vacant.

A political observer said if MGP wins any of the byelections, it would be in a commanding position to dictate terms and if need be support an alternative government in the state. However, if MGP legislators join BJP, then the regional force would be left with only one MLA, and won’t be able to decide on any new equation. BJP sources also said the two MGP MLAs won’t have to quit their assembly membership as they constitute two-third of the party in the House.

Rajya Sabha MP and BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar said the party would continuously look to expand. “If someone wants to join the party, we don’t announce in advance. We always want to expand the party and that is the reason former minister Ramesh Tawadkar has rejoined,” he said.

In the 2017 assembly polls, Congress had emerged as the single largest party, but BJP with 13 MLAs cobbled up a government with all non-Congress groups and independents. Congress also got a jolt when Vishwajit Rane joined BJP increasing its strength to 14. In October last year, Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar quit Congress to join BJP, bringing both the national parties on par.

But with Mapusa MLA and former deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza passing away, BJP’s tally has reduced to 13 forcing the saffron party to explore options to get the single largest party tag.