Goa polls: Velingkar looks for allies to oust the BJP

MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), a forum supported by ousted Goa Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh unit chief Subhash Velingkar, is trying to bring

MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), a forum supported by ousted Goa Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh unit chief Subhash Velingkar, is trying to bring about a ‘mahagathbandhan’ of like-minded political outfits to corner the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Goa Assembly polls.

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The forum has set a deadline of October 2 to decide on the alliance, looking to enlist the support of the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Shiv Sena, two of BJP’s allies that are known to be at loggerheads with the party.

Besides, the BBSM is also looking at including the newly constituted Goa Praja Party, launched by two of Goa’s former ministers with an aim of safeguarding Goa’s traditional identity and culture.

Speaking to HT, Velingkar said, “We have decided to give a viable alternative to the people of Goa by October 2. The political cell of the BBSM has decided to give time to the MGP until September 30 to terminate its alliance with the BJP and take a decision on joining us.”

Velingkar said if his forum gets the MGP’s support, then the party will not contest seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly polls scheduled for early 2017 by itself, but back the MGP and other parties in the grand alliance.

“If the MGP does not break away from the BJP, we are preparing to fight the poll,” he added.

Velingkar and his followers fell out with the BJP over his consistent demands of promoting Goa’s regional languages — Marathi and Konkani — as the primary medium of instruction in schools, and withdrawal of government grants to English medium schools.

Significantly, both the MGP and the Shiv Sena have been strongly demanding prominence to Marathi language.

“Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has discussed the possibility of an alliance over the past few days. We are keen on bringing about a union of compatible parties and work towards promoting Goa’s local languages and traditions,” Velingkar said.