Timing of alliance with BJP to depend on seat sharing: MGP

Panaji, Sep 1 (PTI) Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party(MGP) today said whether it will have a pre- or post-pollalliance with the BJP will depend on a decision on seatsharing between the two parties. "MGP will ask for 14 (out of 40) seats with BJP as apart of pre-poll alliance. The negotiations are yet to start.We will put the issues before central committee and ifrequired will be calling general body," MGP President DipakDhavalikar told reporters here. "BJP is the party with whom we feel comfortable with.But if they don’t agree, we can go alone. We can’t have a tieup with the Congress. Either pre poll or post poll, we will bewith BJP," he said. Dhavalikar, who is a member of the Laxmikant Parsekarcabinet, said it looks difficult for the BJP to form agovernment on its own. "I don’t think anyone can form the government on theown after the government. Alliance is the only option," hesaid. The MGP President said various issues like Medium ofInstruction, official language status to Marathi, developmentof Goa, casino eradication will be considered while decidingon alliance with BJP. "We will have to consider all these aspects beforetaking the decision. We are not here for selfish politics. Wewill announce our stand after election dates are declared," hesaid. Dhavalikar said they have already received a proposalfrom NCP to form a grand alliance, which they have rejected. "There was a proposal from the NCP to have a grandalliance. NCP high command had sent the proposal wherein 18seats were in the offering for us to contest from, seven eachfor Goa Forward and NCP each, four each for Goa Vikas Partyand Atanasio Monserratte’s yet to be formed party. They wantto keep BJP and Congress away," he said. He said there is also a proposal from Bharatiya BhashaSuraksha Manch as well. MGP had pre-poll alliance with BJP for the 2012 stateAssembly elections. PTI RPS ARS KISBAS