PANAJI: The merger saga surrounding Goa's oldest regional party the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party took a dramatic turn on Thursday with former MLA and MGP party secretary Lavoo Mamledar saying that the Dhavalikar brothers are intent on merging the party with the BJP.
Mamledar spoke after the MGP central committee, which met on Wednesday, took a decision to postpone the party's upcoming general body meeting or aam sabha from December 17 to December 24. Mamledar who was present said that the decision was illegal.
"Legally speaking, yesterday's meeting is illegal. and the decision they have taken yesterday to hold the aam sabha meeting on December 24 and the public notice they have sent, is illegal. A Public notice should go at least 30 days prior. The meeting of 24th is itself illegal," Mamledar said.
"I went but there was an argument between me and Sudin. He wanted this date to be changed. I said that at no cost the date will be changed. So 17th is the right date. It should happen on 17th only," Mamledar said.
Mamledar then went on to say that the actions of the party leaders -- referring to the Dhavalikars -- indicated that they were indeed trying to merge the party with the BJP.
"We have received news that there are move to merge the party. That the decision is already taken and these reports is being supported by actions. It seems that they want to go ahead with the merger immediately. Possibly as early as January. Actions of the leaders indicate that they are fully for the merger. They want to finish MGP," Mamledar said.
When asked what his stand on the merger would be Mamlekar said that he would not allow the merger at any cost.
"No merger at any cost. I will run the party (if I have to). We don't money, but good words and good behaviour. Sudin Dhavalikar is minister. He is the leader of the party but party meeting are nowhere except Marcaim. Except Marcaim in no other constituency the party is being expanded. The work is on to damage the party that work is on," Mamledar said.
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party is set for a crucial general body meeting initially announced to be held next Sunday, December 17, which could decide the future trajectory of the party.
With rumours floating thick and fast that the party's central committee is under pressure from the BJP's central leaders to merge the party with the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party is firmly divided into two camps.
But reports of rumours have been struck down by the party leadership. "I wish to state that you should not have any faith in these rumours and the party is together and the work is on well and the party will continue this way and show its strength," Deepak Dhavalikar said at a press conference earlier this week.
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MAMLEDAR, THE BLAZING GUN >>
ON PARTY'S CENTRAL
COMMITTEE MEETING
* It's illegal, so also is the decision taken to hold aam sabha on Dec 24 is illegal
ON PUBLICE NOTICE
* That is also illegal. A public notice should go at least 30 days in advance
DUEL WITH SUDIN
* Over postponement of date from Dec 17 to 24 for aam sabha. 17th the right date
ON MERGER MOVES
* They (Dhavalikars) want to go ahead with the merger as early as January
