Aiming to expand its base in neighbouring Goa, Shiv Sena is trying to rope in rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar, whose fight for regional languages seemingly led to his sacking as RSS Goa chief — but a cause that has attracted the attention of Sena. A meeting between Mr Velingkar and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was held on Saturday at Goa, after which Mr Raut hinted at a political alliance between the two.
“Our emphasis is that the people with same ideology should come together. Velingkar has been fighting for cause of mother tongue and Sena has been emphasising for the same. If RSS has suspended such a person with noble cause then it’s not good. We met yesterday for one and half hours and discussed various issues,” Mr Raut, who is also in Goa preparing for the state polls at the end of 2017, said.
When asked about political alliance between the two, Mr Raut said Sena would soon reveal its plan. “We are going to contest 20 seats in Goa for sure. I am in Goa speaking with activists and gathering workers. We are bringing people with same sentiments together. We will soon have a political announcement,” Mr Raut said. Mr Velingkar was not available for comment on the meeting as his phone was switched off till late evening.
According to sources, both the leaders had an elaborate discussion on Goa politics and Sena is going to take help from the RSS leader who was suspended as the Goa chief of RSS for speaking against the BJP.
The RSS rebel leader on Sunday also held a convention in Goa as a show of strength. Around 2,000 people attended the meeting. Mr Velingkar was sacked after a group of the right-wing outfit showed black flags to BJP national president Amit Shah last month during his Goa visit.
Mr Velingkar had also alleged that he was being targeted by the RSS top brass and defence minister Manohar Parrikar for criticising the state BJP-led coalition’s pro-English education policies. He had claimed that the BJP government was undermining regional languages Konkani and Marathi in Goa.
