MGP backs BBSM over grants for English-medium schools

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a member of the ruling BJP-led alliance in Goa, today said it supported Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) on the contentious issue of medium of instruction in the schools of the state.
"MGP has always supported the stand that elementary education should be in Konkani or Marathi. Our stand continues. That is our policy decision, though we are part of the BJP-led government," MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar said after the meeting of the party's central committee.
BBSM has started an agitation demanding that grants to English-medium schools should be withdrawn.
"MGP also feels that English-medium schools should not be given grants," said Dhavalikar whose party has three MLAs in the 40-member Goa Assembly.

He also said party workers will attend the public meeting organised by BBSM on the issue in Ponda tomorrow.
"If the workers feel that we should be with them, we will also attend the meeting," Dhavalikar said.
Decision on pre-poll alliance with BJP for next year's Assembly elections would be taken at later, he said, adding, "There is still time to the elections. We will decide about it later. May be sometime in October.