MGP to support BJP candidate during upcoming RS poll, bypolls

Panaji: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an alliance partner in the Goa government, will support BJP candidate during the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.

MGP however went on to add that it will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections independently.

MGP state executive, which met today in Panaji, decided that they will support BJP candidate Vinay Tendulkar for the upcoming Rajya Sabha poll.

The election for the lone RS seat will be held on July 21.

"Our party will support BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha election. We will also support BJP during the byelection in Panaji and Valpoi constituencies," MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar told reporters today.

Dhavalikar said the party will however contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls independently.

"We will contest both the Lok Sabha seats on our own. Both the candidates will contest on MGP symbol," he said.

The MGP has secured 11.5 per cent votes during the assembly election, which means we have a sizeable voting in the State, he said, adding, the vote share would have gone up by 4-5 per cent if the election was not contested in alliance with Goa Suraksha Manch and Shiv Sena.

MGP had won on three seats during 2017 Goa assembly election and then later supported BJP to form the government under leadership of Manohar Parrikar.