BJP vs Congress in Goa: Will MGP play the kingmaker?

NEW DELHI: With the exit polls predicting a hung assembly in Goa, both the ruling BJP and the Congress have gone into an overdrive to woo the smaller parties, who might emerge as kingmakers.


The senior leaders of both the parties are already camping in Goa to finalise their plans in case of a fractured mandate by the people.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which is an ally of Mamata's Trinamool Congress, may end up playing a crucial role in government formation.

The MGP was earlier an ally of the BJP in the state, but had parted ways and joined hands with the new entrant the Trinamool Congress.

BJP’s Goa election incharge Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday made a significant statement when he claimed that it is natural for the BJP and the MGP to come together to form the next government as there are similarities in ideology of both the parties.

But it remains to be seen how the Trinamool reacts if the MGP moves towards the BJP.

For now, the MGP has maintained that it will take any decision on alliance after taking the Trinamool on board.

The Congress has also been wooing the MGP, which is one of the oldest regional parties in the state.

The grand old party, which has bitter memories of being stumped by the BJP in government formation despite emerging as the single-largest party in 2017, is not taking any chances this time around.

The Congress has already placed all its MLAs in a resort and its top leaders are in the state to take quick decisions if needed.

The Congress is also talking to the Aam Aadmi Party, which would hope to win some seats in these elections. In 2017, the AAP had secured around 6% of votes, but could not win any seat.

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