 "Will continue to be committed to RSS ideology: Subhash Velingkar")
What prompted the RSS to suddenly remove you from yourpost?
It came as a rude shock to me. I really don't understand what has prompted RSS to relieve me from my post. I have been associated with RSS for almost 55 years. I started attending the RSS Shakha as a 13 year old after the liberation of Goa. The reason cited for my removal was formation of political outfit by BBSM and contest assembly election. I had never said that.It was BBSM's legal cell chief, advocate Uday Bendre, who had made a statement in this regard. His argument was that the issue of vernacular Konkani and Marathi be made as medium of instruction and withdrawal of grants to English medium schools. This was taken up by BBSM ahead of Goa assembly polls held in 2012.
BJP also supported and decided to make it a poll issue with an ultimate objective of defeating Congress. However, nothing has been done in this regard till date during BJP rule and therefore it was obvious to play it up in the ensuing assembly poll slated for early 2017.I had never made any announcement with regard to formation of political outfit. My commitment was, is and will be with RSS ideology and the principles laid down by its founder Dr Hedgewar. Besides, RSS always told us to have a broad outlook and take up social issues. So BBSM decided to aggressively take up the issue of medium of instruction. RSS has relieved me from post and I am now free to chart my path.
You had also been axed for showing black flag to BJP chief Amit Shah. What is your comment?
It is true that I had raised a black flag but want to make it amply clear that it was not to protest against Amit Shah. It was to draw Shah's attention to injustice, the u-turn by BJP-led government and especially by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar on the medium of instruction issue. The black flag was meant for Parrikar.
Why are you targetting Parrikar?
Parrikar is a cheat. Parrikar has cheated the BBSM and the Goan people at large. He failed to implement the poll promise of making Konkani and Marathi the medium of instruction and withdrawal of grants of English medium schools. BBSM will expose Parrikar thoroughly in the coming assembly election. He has clout in the BJP as he distributes tickets and party funds.
Has the decision been finally taken by BBSM to fight coming assembly election?
At present, BBSM has approach the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which has ruled Goa for 18 years, for a poll tie-up. However, our condition is that MGP will have to break its alliance with BJP before the end of September. If MGP does not do so, then our plan B is ready. BBSM, through its political outfit, will contest all 40 assembly seats independently. Already 35 candidates have been finalised. A committee has been formed to decide the party name and symbol. This time our main target will be BJP. We will do everything for its defeat.
What will be the other poll promises - apart from targeting Parrikar?
BBSM will reach out to the voters on a couple of issues including continuation of promotion of casinos, the drug menace, corruption during BJP rule, dual citizenship, BJP's proposal to revive Portugese festivals. We want Konkani and Marathi to be the medium of instruction and cancellation of grants to English medium school. It was Parrikar who formed the Academic Authority so that Konkani and Marathi can be made medium of instruction and cancel grants to English medium school. However, he disbanded the same Authority through a cabinet decision. Thereafter, the present chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who was unaware of the winding up of the Authority, has formed a committee without any powers. On top of that, we will promise transparent administration if elected to power.
Will you contest the election? Will you be projected as CM candidate?
I will not fight the poll nor will I be the CM face. BBSM's political outfit will contest the coming poll with full preparation. As the saying goes: everything is fair in love and war.