Ex-Goa RSS chief formally joins political outfit

Former RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar Sunday formally joined Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) being mentored by him.

Velingkar will now head the outfit.

Addressing GSM workers here, Velingkar expressed possibility of mid-term polls in Goa.

The GSM was formed in 2016 after Velingkar developed serious differences with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue of the medium of instruction in elementary education.

Velingkar had opposed grants given to English medium schools in the coastal state and backed promotion of local languages.

The GSM had contested the 2017 assembly elections on five seats in alliance with the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP), but drew a blank.

"Considering the political situation in Goa, mid-term polls are imminent. Elections for Goa assembly are likely to be held with Lok Sabha polls next year," he said.

Velingkar said the GSM would form its own government in the next five years.

He alleged the BJP-headed coalition government has become defunct.

"People of Goa are suffering due to failure of the BJP to govern and due to stubbornness of ailing Manohar Parrikar to continue in the chair of Chief Minister," he said, adding that the CM should not take people for granted.

Velingkar demanded resumption of legal mining for the sake of 3.5 lakh people, who he said are dependent on the activity for survival.

Mining activity in the coastal state was banned since March this year in the wake of the supreme court order to this effect.

Velingkar said the coalition partners of the BJP are only interested in power.

"They are publicly demanding that power be distributed to them. They are not with Parrikar," he said.

Velingkar's statement came a day after MGP gave an ultimatum that the charge of the chief minister's post be given to its minister Sudin Dhavalikar in view of Manohar Parrikar's illness.

The Manohar Parrikar government is supported by the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the MGP and three Independent MLAs.