BJP broke promises, grooming anti-nationals in Goa: state RSS Chief Subhash Velingkar

Subhash Velingkar, RSS state unit chief attacked the BJP leadership in Goa, saying BJP in Goa was full of "bluff-masters".

Though Velingkar didn't name former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, he accused Parrikar of breaking the trust that the Bhartiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) reposed in him.

Bhartiya Bhasha Surakha Manch is an out fit that supports the use of regional language as a medium of instruction in schools and utilised the same to get strong backing from the BJP. "He is a professional bluffer. Prior to the elections, the BJP leader stood by BBSM and gave assurances to implement Medium of Instruction (MOI policy) in regional language and withdrawing the grant to English (medium schools). It was our mistake to trust him, we got bluffed," Velingkar told a 1,500-strong gathering at Shiroda Bazaar.

No BJP leader was present at the BBSM public meet, Jaheer Sabha, held on Sunday, reported The Indian Express."The former CM completely won us over with an assurance of an amicable solution over the matter," he said.

During the Congress government under Digambar Kamat, BBSM had filed a writ petition in Goa Bench of Bombay High Court opposing the grants it gave to Archdiocesan Board of Education's (ABE) primary schools with English as the medium of instruction. When BJP came to power, BBSM was sure that Parrikar would cancel the grants but this didn't happen.

Velingkar has now warned the BJP government that BBSM will intensify its agitation from 2 October if they fail to withdraw the grants. "If they don't withdraw the grants, they will be responsible for the consequence and not us. For us it is the war of principles, not political or personal, don't take us for granted. We will be a good political opposition," he said, reported The Indian Express.

Claiming that several Christian institutions are also in agreement with the BBSM's demands, Velingkar said "the BJP is grooming anti-national elements", reported The Indian Express.