Sena in Goa mulls alliance with Velingkar’s outfit

Ahead of Assembly poll in another BJP ruled state Goa, the political battle has emerged with the announcement of new political party Goa Suraksha Manch, which is been monitored by RSS rebel leader Subhash Velingkar. 

Goa is also one of the important among five states where the Assembly polls are scheduled in next year, and the saffron party has been ruling since 2012. Once allied with BJP, Shiv Sena is now seemed to be negotiating for seats with GSM.

Shiv Sena leader of the state wing Sudip Tamhankar asserted on Tuesday that, “We have given our proposal of 20 seats to the Goa Suraksha Manch. Now it is up to them to get back to us. We are open to negotiations. We are likely to meet in a day or two over this issue.”

Velingkar was sacked as the Sangh’s ‘Vibhag Pramukh’ following his criticism of the BJP-led government in Goa, especially Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, over the failure to stop government grants to English medium primary schools, most of which are run by a Society operated by the influential Roman Catholic Church in Goa.

However, contrary the Chief Minister of the state Laxmikant Parsekar consider the rise of small parties is beneficial for the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party. He claimed that Velingkar’s new political party Goa Suraksha Manch’s participation in the Assembly poll will help BJP.

Meanwhile, The GSM, which was formed on Sunday, has exuded confidence that it will defeat BJP in Goa with or without the support of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).

The newly formed party, led by Anand Shirodkar, has kept its option open to ally with MGP on seat-sharing basis while it is also in talks with Shiv Sena and Goa Praja Party.