Panaji: BJP said that they will be able to convince their alliance partner – Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party – from contesting against the official candidate in two by-polls for State Legislative Assembly.
Both the seats had fallen vacant after then Congress MLAs – Dayanand Sopte (Mandrem) and Subhash Shirodkar (Shiroda) – resigned to join BJP.
BJP Goa Unit President Vinay Tendulkar told reporters on Saturday that the State level leaders would hold dialogue with MGP President Dipak Dhavalikar and would be able to convince his party not to contest the by-election.
“We have already informed our central leaders about MGP’s announcement to contest by-elections. The State level leaders will hold discussions with MGP first, and if that fails, then Central leaders will talk to them,” Tendulkar said.
The BJP leader said that he had called Dhavalikar for a meeting but the latter was out of station. “Dhavalikar said that he will call back once he is in Goa. I am waiting for his phone,” Tendulkar said.
He said that the MGP leaders are pointing out to the equation between Shiv Sena and BJP in Maharashtra to support their stand of contesting against the official candidates for by-elections.
“The situation in Maharashtra is different, there Sena is calling Chaukidar, a Chor. They talk bad about our PM and our Party President. But here, (in Goa) we have cordial relation with MGP,” he said.
