How MGP eyes a hard bargain with BJP for seats in Goa polls

India Today · Dhaval S Kulkarni · 2026-11-06 12:46 UTC

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) wants to contest 16 of the 40 seats and has staked claim on Shiroda, held by the BJP

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) wants to contest 16 of the 40 seats and has staked claim on Shiroda, held by the BJP

With assembly elections in Goa approaching fast, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the ruling BJP, is seeking its pound of flesh. The party, which has a minister in the cabinet—in Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar (power)—has staked claim on seats held by the BJP and also said it is eyeing 16 of the 40 constituencies for contesting in the polls due in early 2027.

“We are preparing to contest from 16 seats,” said MGP president and former minister Pandurang ‘Deepak’ Dhavalikar, indicating however that they were open to an alliance with the BJP. If contesting the polls separately, the MGP was likely to win at least five seats.

Read the full story at India Today · All coverage of this story