BBSM hints at entering 2017 election fray
Sets new October 2 deadline to stop grants
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch on Tuesday declared that it is all set to intensify its agitation against the present government's stand on the Medium of Instruction in primary schools.
Addressing the media in Panaji, BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar stated, "As a reaction to chief minister's refusal to change his government's stance on MoI, we will intensify our agitation from June 18 onwards with a symbolic hunger strike between 9.30 am to 5 pm on the Revolution Day in centres of 20 constituencies."
Velingkar voiced resolve of BBSM to carry this forward through more public meetings and complete boycott of all government events as well as those ceremonies attended by ministers.
"On May 29, we held a meeting of 215 karyakartas of 38 constituencies, who endorsed the future plans for this agitation," Velingkar said.
It was informed that the six public meetings addressed so far have helped BBSM connect with 20,500 residents of six constituencies of Mayem, Curchorem, Shiroda, Sanquelim, Mandrem and Sanguem. "Apart from these meetings, BBSM has successfully established a direct contact with at least one lakh people through 485 smaller meetings in these six constituencies," Velingkar disclosed.
The forum has granted an extension of deadline it set for the government by serving a fresh ultimatum of October 2. "We will offer a clear anti-BJP political alternative to the public on October 2," BBSM leaders chorused, adding that they were prepared to address the broader and other larger issues plaguing the State on deciding to step into the electoral fray.
Incidentally, they failed to clarify whether this political alternative will swing to the other end of the political fabric, towards Congress.
Meanwhile, BBSM leader Arvind Bhatikar flayed the government's plans to set up a dual citizenship authority in Goa. "We will in-principle oppose dual citizenship because it goes against nationalism," Bhatikar stated, terming it as an electoral gimmick of the present regime.
Velingkar also expressed BBSM's opposition to the revival of Fontainhas Festival while charging that 'BJP is leading people stray and away from the path of nationalism.'
