Sudin corners BJP and Goa Forward, invites Sawal to join MGP
VISHANT VAZE, BICHOLIM | 30 January 2016 21:02 IST
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leader and PWD minister Sudin Dhawalikar today threw a googly by publicly inviting independent Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal to join his party to contest forthcoming Assembly election.
As he was the last speaker at the function to lay foundation stone of a road known as Tambdo Rasto at Mulgao, Sawal could escape from the situation while sharing the dais with the MGP leader.
Around 350 workers of Sawal have however already joined the MGP almost eight months ago.
Dhawalikar in his speech praised Sawal as the legislator having a foresight, known for consistently following up crucial public issues.
“Our party needs such leaders and I invite him to join the MGP after his terms gets over”, said the MGP leader.
Dhawalikar’s move came as a surprise since Sawal is already moving with two other independents Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte, who are instrumental in forming Goa Forward, a new regional outfit.
In fact the 11-member state-level committee consists of Sawal’s ardent supporters, including the Bicholim Mahila Morcha president Vidya Parab.
On the other hand, Dhawalikar’s move has raised eyebrows in the circle of ruling BJP, the senior partner of the BJP-led ruling alliance.
It is presumed that both the ‘Hindu’ partners would again face the forthcoming election together.
The ‘invitation’ becomes pertinent since the BJP has successfully brought back Rajesh Patnekar, who had lost last Assembly election to Sawal on Congress ticket.
The BJP panel had won 10 out of 12 seats in the municipal poll held in October by defeating Sawal’s panel.
Sawal however has preferred to maintain silence over the ‘invitation’, for the time being.
