
‘We are going to Goa...’: Shiv Sena sounds alarm bells for BJP
After successfully blocking the formation of a BJP government in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, now wants to oust the former ally from power in neighbouring Goa by forging an alliance with Vijay Sardesai’s Goa Forward Party.
“After Maharashtra it is Goa, and then we will go to other states. We want to make a non-BJP political front in this country,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai on Friday morning.
Raut’s statement indicates party’s ongoing transformation from anti-Congressism to anti-BJPism after parting ways with its ideological twin, ending nearly thirty years of partnership.
Watch: After ousting BJP in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena sets its eyes on Goa & beyond
“Goa ex-minister and ex deputy CM Vijay Sardesai is here along with three MLAs, and is forming an alliance with the Shiv Sena. A new political front is taking shape in Goa, just like it happened in Maharashtra,” Raut said.
The Saamana editor claimed there will soon be “magic” in Goa as some MLAs supporting the BJP government there were now in touch with the Shiv Sena.
“We are going to Goa…,” Raut said and claimed that people in the state did not like the way the BJP had formed the government.
The developments follow the Hindutva party joining hands with ideologically distant Congress and the NCP in Maharashtra to form a coalition government, which has committed itself to a “secular” agenda through a common programme of governance.
In the 2017 elections for Goa’s 40 assembly seats, the Congress won 17 seats but could still not form the government as the BJP, which won only 13 seats, combined with other outfits to return to power. Since then, the Goa BJP has steadily consolidated and now has 27 MLAs, including the 12, who defected from the Congress.

Farooq Abdullah says 'can't even kiss my wife' because of pandemic

Shiv Sena gets ambitious, to contest 100 seats in Bengal assembly polls
- The Shiv Sena which is a marginal force in West Bengal, is aiming to punch much above its weight.

Covid-19 vaccine drive: Health Ministry instructs states to identify bottlenecks

I&B ministry summons Amazon Prime India officials after controversy over Tandav
- BJP parliamentarian from Maharashtra Manoj Kotak and West Ghatkopar MLA Ram Kadam demanded a ban on the series.

Facebook, Twitter representatives to appear before IT parliamentary panel
- HT had reported on Wednesday that the panel was mulling the decision in the wake of the privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp’s new policy.

IRCTC to resume cooked food supply to passengers in trains soon: Eastern Railway

Govt procures paddy worth ₹1.06 lakh crore so far this kharif season

News updates from Hindustan Times: Plea on farmers tractor rally in SC on Monday

LoC infiltration down by 70%, surrender policy for terrorists in the works: Army
- Chinar Corps commander Lt Gen BS Raju said the Line of Control remains fairly active because of Pakistan's attempts to push in terrorists.

Record construction of 534 km of national highways in one week, says govt

Rajinikanth's 'Makkal Mandram' office-bearers join DMK

SC to hear plea of Delhi Police to stay tractor rally by farmers on Republic Day
- The Delhi Police in its application seeking injunction against farmers taking out a tractor rally had said that the tractor rally could cause law and order problems and embarrass the country.

Farmers stage protest rally against new farm laws in Jammu

At 103, India's first voter casts vote in Himachal Pradesh panchayat polls
