2017 Goa polls: MGP may rethink on alliance with BJP

Even as the ruling BJP is keen to continue its alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in the 2017 Goa Assembly elections, the latter today said it would take a call on tie-up months before the polls as many of its workers were unhappy with the attitude of BJP leaders.
Talking to reporters here today, MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar said, "The party has planned that it will decide on whether to continue with the alliance (with BJP) or not, only three months before the elections in Goa. Many of our workers are not happy with the attitude of BJP leaders."

The BJP has failed to keep up the pre-poll promises made to MGP, Dhavalikar alleged and said, "The workers are unhappy with BJP. Our decision on alliance will be taken only after taking the workers into confidence."
He said the party has already started preparing for the 2017 Goa Assembly polls. "The party will contest in 22 out of total forty constituencies," he added.
BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar had recently said that the party wants to fight the upcoming elections in alliance with MGP. The Dhavalikar-led party currently has three legislators, of which two part of Laxmikant Parsekar-led cabinet.

MGP, Goa's oldest regional party, had ruled the state for 18 years from 1963 onwards before Congress emerged as a strong political force.
The party during 2005-2012 tenure had coalition with Congress but later shifted its loyalty to BJP and fought 2012 polls with the saffron party.