Panaji, Sep 18 (IANS) Rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar said making Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar a star campaigner for the upcoming assembly polls in Goa will not help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to Velingkar, the saffron party's cadre is convinced that, Parrikar, a former Goa Chief Minister, has betrayed his voters and cheated the people on the issue of medium of instruction.
Velingkar, who is mentoring the process of forming a new political party -- with a specific purpose of defeating the BJP in Goa, also said that there was no question of supporting the Aam Aadmi Party.
However, he did not rule out an alliance with the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which is currently an alliance partner in the incumbent BJP-led coalition state government.
"Even if Manohar Parrikar or an even bigger leader than him campaigns (in Goa), it will not work with the people. The people have already gone against the BJP. Committed workers of BJP are now against BJP because of the sins they have done in Goa. They have polluted the culture of Goa," Velingkar told IANS.
Earlier this month, Velingkar had accused Parrikar of using his influence with the Sangh top brass and getting him sacked as the state RSS chief.
Velingkar has now formed a parallel unit of the RSS in Goa, which has nominated him as the sangha chalak.
The rebel RSS leader, who is the co-convenor of the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch, has also consistently criticised the state BJP government's malgovernance and failure to keep promises, especially vis-a-vis doing away with government financial grants to primary schools, most of them run by Goa's Catholic Church, where the medium of instruction is English.
The Manch on October 2, will announce its new political outfit, Velingkar said, with the specific purpose of defeating the BJP in the upcoming elections.
"I can say the party will take up issues which have cropped up due to BJP's malgovernance. We will take up those issues other than medium of instruction (MoI)," Velingkar said.
While the party was on the lookout for alliance partners, the new political outfit will have no truck with the AAP in Goa, Velingkar said.
"AAP has its own principles and is against our stand on MoI. So, there is no question of supporting Aam Aadmi Party," he said, while also elaborating on other alliance options, including the Shiv Sena.
"We met Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, but no details were worked out. Our party is still being formed and the decision will be taken by BBSM central committee... Our first proposal is with the MGP."
"MGP should break the alliance with the BJP and, therefore, we are willing to wait till September 30, for them to take the decision. BBSM will give all support to MGP. If MGP does not join us, then we will try to unite smaller parties and groups across Goa," he said.
Velingkar, however, ruled out his direct involvement in electoral politics, citing RSS principles, which he continues to adhere to.
"RSS does not dictate which party you should join, as long as you are dedicated to the Sangh principles. I do not want to come into active politics. There is no chance. Other people will be asked to take up the political responsibilities," he said.
"RSS does not support any party. But RSS swayamsevaks stand by principle. Any party which crushes principles, RSS swayamsevaks cannot tolerate it."
