No major differences with MGP, alliance to continue in Goa: BJP

PANAJI: The ruling BJP today asserted that its alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party ( MGP) in Goa will continue even though some of its MLAs have expressed dissatisfaction over the functioning of a senior minister belonging to that party.

"We will continue our alliance with MGP. We had a pre-poll alliance with them and it will not break till end of the current tenure," BJP state unit chief Vinay Tendulkar told PTI after emerging from the Chintan Baithak of the party being held at Calangute near here. The two-day-long meet of the party had opened yesterday.

Admitting that some BJP MLAs are not happy with the functioning of senior MGP minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Tendulkar said, "There are complaints by a few of the legislators that their developmental works are not being effected by the Public Works Department (a portfolio held by Dhavalikar), but that does not mean we will break the alliance with them."

He said that although the issue of the alliance with MGP was mentioned at the meeting, no discussion was held on the same.

"It was decided that the party's decision (on the issue) would be final," he added.

Tendulkar said there are no "strong" differences with MGP. "There is no issue of breaking ties with them," he reiterated.

When contacted, Dhavalikar also rubbished the rumours of a break-up.

"The alliance is going strong. People had elected the BJP- MGP government and it will continue as the same," Dhavalikar said.

He said that the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections in the state would be fought jointly by BJP and MGP. Meanwhile, BJP has formed a 13-member election committee, headed by Tendulkar, to oversee the campaign for the Panaji bypolls and the ZP polls.