MGP may go solo in 2017 Goa polls

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an alliance partner in the BJP-led government in Goa, is likely to contest upcoming Assembly elections without opting for any pre-poll tie-up.
"Under current political situation, it's advisable for MGP to go alone in polls (due next year). We will not have any pre-poll alliance," MGP MLA and party spokesman Lavu Mamlatdar told PTI today.
Speculations were rife about the regional party's future move, given that RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar-led Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) had proposed an alliance for polls.
MGP had a pre-poll alliance with the BJP during 2012 elections.
However, the relations between the two parties deteriorated as MGP set replacement of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar as the pre-condition for continuation of the alliance for polls.

However, Parsekar retaliated by sacking MGP ministers Sudin Dhavalikar and Dipak Dhavalikar, from his cabinet on Monday.

However, MGP has not formally withdrawn its support to Parsekar government.
Mamlatdar said MGP had already decided to field its candidates in 23 out of total 40 constituencies, including in Mandrem which is currently represented by Parsekar.
"We are sure of winning more than 21 seats and getting majority on our own. We won't require any post-poll alliance to form government," he said, adding the MGP has already announced Sudin Dhavalikar as its chief ministerial candidate.
When asked about any possibility of a patch-up with the BJP, Mamlatdar replied in negative.

"BJP will not change its leader and we will not withdraw our demand of change in leadership," he said.
BJP had won 21 seats in 2012 and MGP 3.