The BBSM public meet on Sunday. (Express Photo) The BBSM public meet on Sunday. (Express Photo)

Intensifying his attack on the BJP leadership in Goa, RSS state unit chief Subhash Velingkar on Sunday said that the party in Goa was full of “bluff-masters”.

Without naming former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Velingkar said that he had broken the trust reposed in him by the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), which supports regional language as a medium of instruction in schools.

“He is a professional bluffer. Prior to election, the BJP leader stood by BBSM and assured to implement Medium of Instruction (MOI policy) in regional language and withdrawing 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 — Sunday.

“The former CM completely won us over with an assurance of an amicable solution over the matter,” he said, adding that BBSM withdrew its petition filed before the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court because it trusted BJP leaders.

Setting a deadline for the BJP government in the state to implement the MOI in regional language, Velingkar warned that BBSM will intensify its agitation from October 2 if the ruling party failed to keep its word.

“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.

Velingkar also claimed that several Christian institutions were in agreement with the BBSM view, adding that it was the BJP that was dividing communities in Goa through a discriminatory policy on grants that pitted people against each other. “By this kind of stand, the BJP is grooming anti-national elements,” he added.

Fr. Mauzine Athaide, a local priest who took part in the BBSM agitation, said Christians were suffering due to the state BJP’s stand.

“Goa BJP leaders have no right to brand anyone anti-national, if they knew the real meaning of nationalism they would not have taken such a divisive stand,” he said.

Advocate Swati Kerkar said now it was “BBSM vs BJP”, and there was no opposition for Congress or AAP.

Velingkar also accused Goa BJP leaders of giving wrong information to the central leadership about BBSM’s protest.

“Our members have already mailed about the exact situation in Goa, and we think the central leadership is with us,” he added.

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