Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday claimed that BJP has 20 per cent pro-incumbency among people ahead of 2017 State Assembly elections.
Talking to reporters here, Mr. Parrikar claimed that according to a survey carried out by the party in Goa, 58 per cent people want BJP to return to power.
“Last time we had crossed 36 per cent vote share, this time we will cross 45 per cent vote share. We are prepared to contest all 40 seats. It does not mean BJP will field candidates in all constituencies, but we are confident of a comfortable majority,” Mr. Parrikar said.
In reply to a question about the prospects of continuing a pre-poll alliance with regional outfit Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Mr. Parrikar said that BJP’s doors were not closed.
The alliance is reportedly on the verge of breaking after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar sacked two MGP Ministers — Deepak Dhavalikar and Sudin Dhavalikar — from the State cabinet. The Dhavalikar siblings had demanded that BJP should replace Mr. Parsekar as the Chief Minister if it wants to continue the alliance.
The MGP leaders have confirmed that the party has begun alliance talks with Goa Suraskha Manch, a regional outfit floated by rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar.
