Talks for alliance with MGP will begin after Oct 4: Parrikar

Panaji, Sep 17 (PTI) Union Defence Minister and BJPleader Manohar Parrikar today said the talks for pre-pollalliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) will beginafter October 4. "We have to fight on all 40 seats with all thestrength by taking along the alliance partners. The talksabout the alliance (with MGP) will begin only after October4," he told the core party workers here in presence of GoaChief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. "We respect our alliance partners, but BJP is also ina position to fight all the 40 seats on its own," Parrikarsaid. Assembly elections in Goa are scheduled to be held nextyear. He said in 2012 Assembly polls BJP got majority on itsown but had honoured the commitment to MGP by offering themtwo ministerial berths. "I was advised by many people that I could accommodatetwo more BJP MLAs in the Cabinet by keeping away MGP. But wedidn’t do that. BJP is a party which never forgets itsfriend," the former Chief Minister said. BJP had won 21 seats and MGP three in the 2012 statepolls. Parrikar said he would would visit every village andconcentrate on the elections in the coastal state. "We had visited the villages during 2012 polls whenthe situations were adverse for us. It is said that the peoplevoted for Parrikar in 2012 polls, but it is not true. Peoplevoted for the party, Parrikar was just an instrument," hesaid. PTI RPS NRB NSDBAS