MGP extends support to Congress, dashes letter to Governor

Panaji, June 6 (UNI) In a significant development, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) today dashed off a letter to Goa Governor S C Jamir extending ''unconditional'' support to the formation of a Congress-led coalition government in the state at the earliest.

''In the interest of the formation of a stable and progressive government, our party has decided to extend support to the Congress,'' party general secretary Pradeep G Naik told UNI.

The MGP Central Committee met earlier in the day and decided to support a Congress-led government, he said.

The party was part of the coalition government headed by Pratapsinh Rane and was represented by Ramakrishna S Dhavalikar in the ministry. He was stripped of the PWD portfolio but retained the Housing Ministry following uproar in the Congress that Mr Dhavalikar was resorting to anti-Congress activities.

The MGP broke the coalition and contested the June 2 elections on its own treating the Congress and the BJP as ''equal enemies'' and remaining ''equidistant''.

Meanwhile, Goa NCP president Dr Wilfred De Souza and party national observer Gurudas Kulkarni held talks with AICC general secretary in charge Goa, Ms Margret Alva, today on formalities for forming the new government.

The NCP has also submitted a letter to the GPCC extending support to a Congress-led coalition government. The NCP already has a pre-poll arrangement with the Congress, party sources said.

The NCP, however, wants three ministerial berths besides deputy chief ministership to Mickey Pascheco, who is the newly-elected leader of the NCP legislature party. The NCP has also demanded chairmanship of four out of the 18 state corporations.

Meanwhile, Ms Alva left for Delhi this afternoon after interacting with party legislators and leaders on the choice of the chief ministerial candidate. She has exuded confidence that the Congress would form the government shortly in association with the NCP, MGP and two independents.

Ms Alva will appraise the party High Command and chief Sonia Gandhi regarding the suggestions made by leaders on the choice of chief minister. The name of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ravi Naik, who has been chief minister twice, is doing the rounds for the top post.

UNI