Daijiworld Media Network – Ponda

Ponda, Aug 6: MGP leader and Goa Minister Sudin Dhavalikar has asserted that Ponda remains the traditional stronghold of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), claiming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was able to win the constituency only because veteran leader Ravi Naik had joined the party.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Madhavrao Dhavalikar Trust office in Ponda, Dhavalikar said the BJP's victory in the constituency would not have been possible without Ravi Naik's presence.

"Ponda belongs to the MGP. Ravi Naik came to the BJP from the MGP, and because of him the BJP won the seat. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the BJP to win Ponda," Dhavalikar said.

Expressing confidence in the party's future prospects, the senior MGP leader said the MGP has the organisational strength and public support to reclaim the Ponda Assembly constituency.

He maintained that Ponda has traditionally been an MGP bastion and expressed optimism that the party would regain the seat in the coming Assembly elections.