Goa Assembly Election 2027 Major Rift in BJP-MGP Alliance Over Seat Sharing

Karishma 21 Oct 2026 4 min read 4 views

Panaji, Goa The Goa Assembly elections are scheduled for February 2027, but nearly four months before the polls, a major crack has appeared in the ruling alliance. A serious dispute over seat sharing between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its oldest ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), has intensified to the point where the alliance is on the verge of collapse. The most discussed constituencies in Goan politics right now are Ponda, Shiroda, and Mandrem.

Heated Closed-Door Meeting at the Chief Minister's Bungalow

According to sources, a crucial closed-door meeting of BJP and MGP leaders was held on Monday at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's official bungalow at Altinho. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, BJP State President Damu Naik, BJP Vice President Datta Kholkar, MGP President Deepak Dhavalikar, and senior MGP leader and Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.

Sources say the atmosphere of the meeting was tense from the outset. The MGP presented a proposal stating that it wants to contest the 2027 election together but wants five seats – Ponda, Shiroda, Mandrem, Madkai, and Priol. The MGP argued that its mass base is strongest in these constituencies and its workers have been working there for years.

However, the BJP immediately rejected the proposal. The biggest dispute was over Ponda and Shiroda

Why is MGP Adamant on Ponda and Shiroda?

According to political analysts, Ponda and Shiroda have become a matter of prestige for the MGP.

Political Importance of Ponda Ponda is called the cultural capital of Goa. It has traditionally been a stronghold of the MGP. Reports suggest that MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar himself wants to contest from Ponda. A few months ago, he opened a large office in Ponda in the name of the Madhavrao Dhavalikar Trust. When asked about it, he said it is just a trust office, but political observers see it as election preparation.
. Bhandari Vote Bank in Shiroda Shiroda is another constituency adjacent to this region. The Bhandari community vote plays a decisive role here. The MGP claims that it has a strong hold in this community, so this seat should be allocated to it.

What is the BJP's Stand?

On the other hand, the BJP is not ready to give up these two seats at any cost. BJP State President Damu Naik and Datta Kholkar categorically stated in the meeting, "We will not give Ponda and Shiroda to the MGP. Here, the BJP will field candidates from the Bhandari community."

The BJP argues that it won these seats in 2022 and will not give away its winning seats. The party believes that if it gives away important seats like Ponda and Shiroda to the MGP, it will send a wrong message to its own workers.

New Equation on Mandrem Seat – Parsekar and Sopte Come Together

Amid this entire controversy, a new political equation has emerged on the Mandrem seat, which is further increasing the BJP's tension.

Mandrem is a coastal assembly constituency in North Goa. This seat is considered the traditional bastion of former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Parsekar has been an MLA from here three times.

In 2022, the BJP denied Parsekar a ticket and gave it to Dayanand Sopte. Angered by this, Parsekar left the BJP and contested as an independent. As a result, votes were split and MGP's Jit Arolkar won the seat.

Now, ahead of 2027, a major twist has occurred. Reports suggest that Parsekar and Sopte have now joined hands to defeat Jit Arolkar. In such a situation, the BJP is in a dilemma – should it work against the MLA of its own ally, the MGP, or should it pacify its old leaders?

MGP MLA Jit Arolkar has clarified that he remains with the MGP and will be the alliance's candidate. He added that BJP leaders should follow the coalition dharma.

MGP's Internal Survey and the Matter Will Go to Delhi

MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar said that his party has conducted an internal survey. In this survey, the MGP's position is very strong in three seats – his own seat Marcaim, Pernem, and Bicholim. However, he said that its claim on Ponda and Shiroda also remains.

Dhavalikar said that no final decision has been taken on seat sharing yet and the matter will now be taken to the central leadership in Delhi. He himself will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and present his demands. He also indicated that if the BJP does not accept its demands, the MGP may consider contesting alone on all 40 seats.

What Will Be the Impact on the 2027 Elections?

Goa has 40 assembly seats. In 2022, the BJP won 20 seats, but after defections, it now has 28 MLAs. The MGP has 2 MLAs.

If the BJP-MGP alliance breaks, it will directly benefit the opposition grand alliance of Congress, RGP, and Goa Forward. The opposition is already raising the slogan of "27 in 27". On the other hand, if the BJP gives Ponda and Shiroda to the MGP, there could be a rebellion within the BJP itself.