MGP breaks alliance with BJP ahead of upcoming Goa elections

Panaji (Goa) [India], Jan. 5 (ANI): The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on Thursday withdrew its support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Goa. The party declared Sudin Dhavalikar as its chief ministerial candidate in the upcoming assembly elections. The break-up of the alliance was informed by the MGP in a letter issued to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha. "Now that upon declaration of 2017 Assembly Election by the Election Commission, the Central Committee or MGP which had decided not to continue the relations with BJP and not to have any more alliance for 2017 Election now upon confirmation of the said decision, today has resolved to break up the alliance and relation with BJP with immediate effect," the letter said. The Election Commission of India yesterday announced seven-phase polling for 403 assembly constituencies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, two-phase polling in Manipur and one-phase polling each in the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa respectively. Goa will vote in a single-phase on February 4. The date of notification is January 11, the last date of nomination is January 18, the scrutiny of nomination will take place on January 19 and the withdrawal of candidature will take place on January 21. (ANI)