The BJP, whose relation with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party had soured in 2019, is in hot pursuit of the Sudhin Dhavlikar-led party, as exit polls once again predicted a hung assembly in Goa. On the eve of counting, BJP's Devendra Fadnavis -- who is in charge of the coastal state -- said the MGP is the BJP's "natural ally". He, however, added that he is "absolutely sure" that the BJP "will get a thumping majority".
"I'm absolutely sure that BJP will get good results, people are ready to come with us and with them, we'll get a thumping majority," Mr Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate, the controversial BJP legislator contesting from Panjim, added, "We are confident that we will form a government on our own and we will prove exit poll wrong tomorrow... I am confident that if required, MGP will support BJP. We have a relationship with them".
The MGP -- which is currently in alliance with Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and expected to get enough seats to play the kingmaker -- has indicated that it has received feelers from the Congress as well.
After helping the BJP come to power in the state in 2017 despite the Congress emerging as the single largest party, Sudhin Dhavlikar was unceremoniously dropped from the BJP government in Goa in March 2019 -- shortly after the death of Goa's three-time Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the advent of the current Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant.
But the MGP chief, who had since vowed never to tie-up the BJP again, appears to have had a conditional change of heart.
Any partnership with the BJP will involve the Chief Minister's post for the MGP, party sources have indicated. The BJP response is yet to be known.
An understanding with the BJP, however, may not go down well with Trinamool Congress, which was hoping to play a decisive role in the government formation.
But Mr Dhavalikar has told NDTV that he has met Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee, its election advisor Prashant Kishor and the Rajya Sabha MPs of the party.
"I have discussed a lot of things with them, the Congress and the BJP. But I am in an alliance, I will not be able to decide at this stage," he added.
Exit polls have predicted a hung assembly in Goa. An aggregate of six exit polls indicated yesterday that 16 seats each for BJP and the Congress, both below the majority mark of 21. The Trinamool Congress is expected to win three seats.
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