This is not shocking news nor any kind of surprise in the state where the power-hungry politicians are ready to change their league for the sake of ministry, it happened in the past several times and it will happen in the future too. There are so-called rumors making rounds in the political arena that two of the MGP MLAs are on their way to join the BJP soon later this week.
Although MGP party denied the news calling it baseless but similar things have happened in the past when the Congress candidates on a trip to Delhi said that they were on their business meeting and the next day news of party jumping took the headlines of the newspapers in Goa.
After the demise of Mapusa MLA Congress emerged as a single largest party in the state with 14 MLAs by their side, while BJP left with just 13. Now the political circle is talking about BJP wooing two MLAs of MGP to make their base stronger in the state
According to news published by the Time of India, 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.
According to the sources, after the demise of Mapusa MLA Congress emerged as a single largest party in the state with 14 MLAs by their side, while BJP left with just 13. Now the political circle is talking about BJP wooing two MLAs of MGP to make their base stronger in the state, and come out as the single largest party.
The online news channel quoted that there are strong rumors that tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar and Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar may 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.
Meanwhile, according to the BJP sources, the two MGP MLAs won’t have to quit their assembly membership as they constitute two-thirds of the party in the House.
Meanwhile, the MGP played their card to show its unity on Monday evening by 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, said Ramkrishna Dhavalikar.
“Our MLAs will not leave the party. The rumor 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 by-elections. “Some MLAs from a national party are in touch with us to join MGP,” he said.
It may be recalled that due to the demise of Mapusa MLA now there will be by-elections on the three seats, Mandrem, Shiroda and Mapusa and the results of the same will decide the fate of new government in the state.
MPG has already made its plans to fight by-elections on all the three seats due to their growing differences with ruling government in the past few months but Goa Forward is trying to convince them to shift allegiance to BJP.
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.
Presently, Both MGP and GFP have three MLAs each, while three independents have also supported the BJP-led government. Lone NCP MLA makes up for the 40-member House, where three seats are vacant.
Now the situation is such that if MGP wins any of the by-elections, it would be in a commanding position to dictate terms and they can also extend their support to form alternative government in the state, but as speculated, if two of MGP MLAs join the BJP then the regional party will be completely collapsed with just single MLA with no scope of negotiations with Government.
Meanwhile, according to the BJP sources, the two MGP MLAs won’t have to quit their assembly membership as they constitute two-thirds 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.
This game will continue with breaking and making of MLAs and in the bargain, the people of Goa will keep suffering financially and otherwise as the cost involved in having by polls and general elections are to be born by people of Goa from their taxes while our defecting MLAs keep enjoying the mandate of people.
