 "Subhash Velingkar's party will benefit BJP in Goa polls: Laxmikant Parsekar")
"I am in the ruling party. And it is natural that more the smaller parties, it is good for the ruling party to win the election. I welcome all such new political parties," Parsekar told reporters here hours after the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) announced formation of its political party - Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM).
The announcement was made in Panaji on Sunday, but the list of the office-bearers released here did not have the name of Velingkar, who is heading the BBSM.
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Responding to a question, Parsekar said, "Goa is not my father's land. Anyone can come here and contest the election. I can't stop anyone".
"This is democracy. The election results will show who is accepted by people and who are not," he said when asked about BBSM's statements against him and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar accusing them of "mishandling" the Medium of Instruction (MOI) issue.
The chief minister said the dwindling response to the public meetings called by BBSM is an answer to those leaders who have been criticising the BJP.
The GSM, which was formed on Sunday, has exuded confidence that it will defeat BJP in Goa with or without the support of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
The newly formed party, led by Anand Shirodkar, has kept its option open to ally with MGP on seat-sharing basis while it is also in talks with Shiv Sena and Goa Praja Party.
The BBSM has decided to be in the electoral fray to oppose the ruling BJP in Goa after the ruling party refused to withdraw grants to English medium schools.
RSS had recently "relieved" its Goa Vibhag Sangh Chalak Velingkar, who then formed a parallel outfit called RSS Goa Prant.