In Goa, it’s natural for BJP & MGP to join hands: Fadnavis

PANAJI

: A day ahead of counting, BJP’s Goa election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that it is “natural for BJP and MGP to come together to form the next government as there are similarities in ideology of both parties”.

BJP has asked its MLAs to go to the party headquarters in Panaji at 4pm on Thursday, after counting is over. Fadnavis, who has already held talks with Goa’s oldest regional party, MGP, to discuss a post-poll alliance,said he is also in touch with “those who can come with us to form the next government”. “Even if we get a majority, we will take some people along with us and I have already held talks with them,” he said.

said he is also in touch with “those who can come with us to form the next government”. “Even if we get a majority, we will take some people along with us and I have already held talks with them,” he said.

BJP is closest to MGP.” Fadnavis arrived in Goa on Wednesday and held meetings with BJP candidates along with chief minister Pramod Sawant, BJP state president

Sadanand Shet Tanavade

and others.

Fadnavis said BJP has full confidence that it will get the people’s mandate and that it will form the next government in Goa. Referring to a move by Congress to corral all its candidates in a hotel fearing poaching by BJP, Fadnavis said, “Congress has no faith in their own candidates and that is the reason they have locked them up. We will not require them to form the government.”

Fadnavis said as Congress has a weak leadership, it thinks its MLAs will run away. BJP Goa desk in-charge C T Ravi said health minister Vishwajit Rane joined BJP from Congress, and he has the capacity to get four more Congress MLAs if need be.

Sawant also reiterated that BJP will form the next government in Goa, while transport minister Mauvin Godinho said Independent MLAs will play an important role in government formation.