A day after MGP said it would forge a pre-poll alliance with BJP only if Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is removed from the post, the latter today shot back, saying the two MGP ministers should first quit the cabinet.
Parsekar also sought to know whether Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) was keen on continuing to be part of the current dispensation led by him.
Accusing Parsekar of pushing the state backwards, Dipak Dhavalikar, chief of MGP, which is part of the ruling combine in Goa, had said yesterday said its alliance with BJP will continue only if Parsekar does not remain at the helm of affairs in the state.
Reacting to MGP's statement, Parsekar said, "When are they both leaving the state cabinet? I will get a chance to induct two new ministers. Two MLAs will get a chance to be ministers."
MGP's Sudin and Dipak Dhavalikar, who are brothers, are currently ministers in the BJP-led state cabinet. MGP had entered into a pre-poll alliance with BJP before the 2012 state elections.
"We have 21 MLAs and we also have support of some independents. Let MGP leaders clarify first whether the current alliance will continue or not," the chief minister said.
Reacting to MGP's statement, BJP Goa spokesman Nilesh Cabral said Dhavalikars cannot dictate terms to BJP over alliance.
"We are a big brother and all the conditions related to alliance would be decided by us and not by MGP," he said.
Cabral said BJP will decide who should be the Chief Minister of Goa as the party is enjoying majority.
"Who is MGP to tell us? We will decide who should be our leader," he said.
The BJP leader said the party can win over 26 seats (out of the total 40) without going for an alliance with MGP for the upcoming polls scheduled next year.
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