Meet Sudin Dhavalikar, the GSM-MGP-Shiv Sena CM candidate who aims to oust both BJP and Congress from Goa

The Shiv Sena, GSM and MGP alliance will be contesting in 37 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.

Panaji, Jan 19: Sudin Dhavalikar, the chief ministerial candidate of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP),Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) and Shiv Sena is all set to battle and defeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Goa assembly elections. Considered as the main power centre in MGP, Sudin Dhavalikar was a part of the Parrikar government but in the December 2016, he was sacked from the Parsekar government after his series of statements against the BJP led government. Having broken up with the BJP, MGP  is contesting elections in alliance with Shiv Sena and GSM, the political party of RSS renegade Subhash Velingkar.

A three time Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Marcaim constituency, Sudin has held portfolios like Public Works Department, Transport and River Navigation. MGP used to dominate the Goa politics postcolonial rule and the party was the first ruling party after the end of Portuguese colonial rule. Sudin wishes to bring the party back to power.

‘Smartness of fox’

As per reported by The Indian Express, on being asked about other political parties calling Sudin Dhavalikar as opportunist, he replied ““They call me an opportunist but to survive one needs to do these things. You have to use the smartness of a fox.” He further stated that ““The Congress and the BJP both grew on the support of the MGP. What is wrong if I used them to grow my party?”

Anti Christian party

MGP is seen as an anti Christian party. The party in its past has granted its support to Sanatan Sanstha whose headquarter is based in Marcaim, the constituency of Sudin Dhavalikar. The party in its past has also demanded suspensions of grants to English medium schools. Defending his support to Sanatan Sanstha, Sudin stated,“It only asks people to come towards Hinduism.”

Mum over grants issue as well as post poll alliance

After being appointed as the chief ministerial candidate of MGP-GSM and Shiv Sena, Sudin Dhavalikar has remained silent on the issue of grants to English medium schools as well as a post-poll alliance with BJP. The Marcaim MLA has refused to comment on either subject. Former RSS chief Subhash Velingkar had said that the alliance would withdraw grants to English medium primary schools if voted to power. Addressing the media after the alliance was declared, Subhash Velingkar had stated that “Our alliance after forming the government will withdraw grants to primary schools having English language as their medium of instruction. Education in English is against our principles as all over the world, it is known that teaching should be in the mother tongue.”

The Shiv Sena, GSM and MGP alliance will be contesting in 37 seats in the upcoming assembly elections. Sudin Dhavalikar is confident of becoming the next chief minister of the state and speaking to The Indian Express, he has stated that, “I will be the next chief minister of Goa. The MGP has strengthened, and found support among the youth. I am confident they will power me to the top seat.”

Goa Assembly elections for 40 seats will be conducted on February 4 and the election is a four cornered battle between BJP, Congress, MGP-GSM-Sena alliance and the debutant Aam Aadmi Party.