the goan I network
PONDA
Despite growing pressure from BJP, its coalition partner in the government, a defiant MGP said it was firm on contesting the Shiroda bypoll and said it was also open to contest bypolls in Panaji, Mapusa and Mandrem.
Though there were rumours that MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar would back out from the Shiroda bypoll in favour of BJP candidate Subhash Shirodkar, Dhavalikar has been under pressure from his supporters in Shiroda constituency and the party’s central committee to contest the bypoll.
“I will definitely contest from Shiroda,” Dhavalikar told The Goan.
Added MGP’s General Secretary Lavu Mamledar: “When Deepak Dhavalikar is winning in this constituency, there is no question of backing out. At the party’s central committee, we had passed a resolution to contest the Shiroda and other bypolls.”
“If we get good candidates in Panaji, Mapusa and Mandrem, we will definitely contest in those bypolls too,” Mamledar said.
Defending Dhavalikar’s decision to contest the Shiroda bypoll, Mamledar said: “If Deepak Dhavalikar backs out from the fray, it will be a loss to the MGP. People will then say the Dhavalikar brothers are selfish and are compromising for power. We need to
change this belief,” he said.
“I am sure that he is
contesting and he should”, Mamledar said.
Mamledar was also asked to comment on Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate’s desire to contest the Panaji bypoll, especially when Goa Forward Party has been critical of MGP’s decision to contest the bypolls against a coalition ally.
“Let us see his moves first and only then will I comment. It is possible that Monserrate may even leave Goa Forward and contest as an independent.”
Asked if MGP planned to contest the Lok Sabha elections, Mamledar said: “We have got very short time to think about contesting the Lok Sabha polls. We may not win, but yes, we have a large number of voters in north and south Goa.”
“At present, we have no time to choose candidates, but anything can happen at the last moment,” Mamledar added.
