Sena in talks with Velingkar's BBSM for tie-up for Goa polls

Shiv Sena in Goa today said it is in discussionwith Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) to form an alliance for Assembly election in the state next year.
The BBSM is headed by Subhash Velingkar who was "relieved" as Goa RSS chief on August 31 after BBSM hinted at its intent to float a political party and contest Assembly polls to counter BJP.
"The talks with BBSM are going on for having alliance with them during the forthcoming election. Shiv Sena on its own wanted to field candidates in 21 constituencies, but we have kept option open to have alliance with BBSM," Sena's Goa unit chief Sudip Tamankar told reporters here.

The manch is demanding that mother tongue be made the Medium of instruction (MOI) and withdrawal of grants to English medium schools.
Tamankar said BBSM and Shiv Sena combine will contest on minimum 30 seats, if the alliance gets materialised.
"BBSM and Shiv Sena have a common ideology. There should not be any problem in the alliance," he said.

The BBSM had earlier said it will announce formation of its political party on October 2.
Tamankar said if the alliance happens, both the parties will have seat-sharing and contest on individual symbols (Shiv Sena and BBSM).
The Sena, at present, has no representation in the Goa Assembly.