Panaji: Power minister and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar on Wednesday said a party survey in Ponda constituency had flagged “gundagiri, dadagiri and commission tactics”, prompting him to begin political work in the constituency ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.“In Ponda, we (MGP) carried out a survey where issues of gundagiri, dadagiri, commissions emerged. The survey has said it, I have not said it. Once the survey results come out, I will have to work on it. When such outcome comes out, as a senior person, I have to start work and I have started work,” Dhavalikar said.His remarks come amid speculation of a possible clash between MGP and its ally, BJP, over candidates in Ponda taluka and neighbouring constituencies. “We are carrying out work in 12 constituencies. We have formed committees in 17 constituencies. As per the surveys carried out by our party, it showed us positive signs,” he said.Speculation about Dhavalikar’s interest in Ponda has grown after he expressed an intention for his son, Mithil, to contest from his own Marcaim constituency. Ponda has been without an MLA since BJP legislator Ravi Naik died earlier this year. His son, Ritesh, was announced as the BJP candidate for the bypoll, which was subsequently cancelled.Although MGP and BJP are currently in an alliance, Dhavalikar said the party would decide on its alliance and candidates for the 2027 assembly elections only after the election dates are announced.MGP will hold its annual general meeting on Oct 31, with five to six things on the agenda. However, the alliance will not be discussed at the meeting, he said.“Our executive committee will form a parliamentary committee which will decide on alliances and candidates. They will send it to the executive committee, which will issue forms to candidate,” Dhavalikar said.
