MGP denies merger with Congress in Goa

Panaji, Aug 18 (UNI) The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) today denied reports that the party had proposed to merge with the Congress in Goa.

''The question of MGP merging with the Congress does not arise, with the former ruling the state in the early days for about 17 years and now improving its base,'' the party supremo Pandurang Raut and its legislature party chief Ramakrishna Davlikar told media persons here.

The duo said there was no substance in Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho claiming merger of the MGP with the Congress, with Mr Davlikar initiating discussions with him, as appeared in a section of the media.

The two also ruled out that the MGP was supporting the Digambar Kamat-led coalition government by coming out of the Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) as long the petitions filed by the Davlikar brothers against the order of the Speaker Pratapsingh Rane was not disposed off by the Supreme Court.

They challenged the Speaker's order restraining the two legislators from voting in the House on July 30 in the crucial ''trial of strength'' enabling the Chief Minister to survive the vote of confidence by the skin of his teeth.

The duo further said the party had ''stripped'' its general secretary Pradeep Naik of all powers, even as disciplinary action was being contemplated for ''mischief'' he allegedly played against the party recently.

Mr Naik had unauthorisedly interacted with the media voicing against the interests of the party on the issue of the Davlikar brothers withdrawing support to the Kamat government and joining the GDA.

He had also passed on ''minutes books'' related to the party to the Speaker's office enabling the Congress to file disqualification petition against the two legislators for switching sides without the consent of the party.

Mr Raut will take care of the party affairs hitherto, even as efforts are underway to appoint a new general secretary.

UNI