Goa: BJP pressurizing Parrikar to continue as CM, alleges Velingkar
Former Goa unit RSS chief, Subhash Velingkar, has alleged that the BJP High Command is pressuring Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to continue in the post despite his ill health, to retain power in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, rubbished his charge, saying Parrikar was not being forced to continue as the chief minister and that his health condition was improving.
BJP wants to retain power in Goa, thus pressurizing: Velingkar
"They (government) are fooling people. Parrikar needs proper rest. Unfortunately, the BJP High Command in Delhi wants to retain power in Goa, that is why they are not allowing him to rest. They are power hungry," Velingkar alleged.
Velingkar demands update on Parrikar's health
The former state RSS chief demanded that the state government give an update on the Chief Minister's health. Velingkar was talking to reporters yesterday evening after addressing a meeting of his supporters in Mandrem Assembly constituency, where a by-poll is due after Dayanand Sopte, who had won from there last year, resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Velingkar was ousted from RSS for critical comments against Parrikar
Velingkar was ousted from the post of the Goa Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief in 2016 after his critical comments against Parrikar. Later, he formed a political outfit, the Goa Suraksha Manch, which fought against the BJP in the state Assembly polls held last year.
BJP will be removed from Goa in next elections: Velingkar
Velingkar said the state government should have appointed another CM till Parrikar recovered. "I feel this government will be dissolved and the Goa Assembly elections would be held along with the Lok Sabha polls," he said. He said the elected representatives don't have anything to do with the party's ideology. He claimed that the BJP will be completely wiped-out from Goa in next elections.
BJP Goa quashes Velingkar's charges, says Parrikar's health improving
Meanwhile, BJP Goa unit chief, Vinay Tendulkar, said there is no issue of the party High Command forcing Parrikar to continue in the chair. "His health condition is improving now and he'll resume office in November," he said. Dismissing Velingkar's claims that BJP leaders were not following the party's ideology, Tendulkar said, "Whosoever is in the party is because he/she believes in our ideology."
