the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) Chief Subhash Velingkar on Friday said the party was not after power and if any of its candidates were elected in the ensuing by-elections, it will prefer to remain in opposition.
He also said GSM will meet on March 19 and take a final call on whether to contest the two Lok Sabha seats in the State.
“Politics is not a business to us and we will never compromise on our values for power. We believe in clean and honest politics. If we provide candidates with good and clean record we are sure voters will elect such people to power,” Velingkar said.
The GSM chief was addressing a news conference after declaring Nandan Sawant as the GSM candidate for the Mapusa by-election.
Sawant, who is an architect by profession, is popularly known for designing temples across Goa. The Ganeshpuri temple and Datta Mandir in Mapusa has been designed by Sawant. He hails from Assagao but has been residing at Ansabhatt-Mapusa for quite some time now. He has been with the GSM from day one and is the State Vice President of the party.
Speaking further, Velingkar said GSM believed in honest politics and hoped that the electorate will shun the inducement of alcohol and money.
“When Manohar Parrikar first contested from Panaji there was not a whiff of alcohol or flow of cash. In spite of being a resident of Mapusa he was elected in Panaji only due to hard work of sincere group of workers,” he recounted.
He said the party has not shut its doors on forging an alliance with Shiv Sena in the State.
“We are in touch with Jitesh Kamat of Shiv Sena. We will explore the prospects of forming an alliance with Shiv Sena for the by-elections,” he said.
Velingkar informed that a couple of leaders in GSM were of the view not to enter into the fray for the parliamentary polls. “We are meeting on March 19 and take a final decision whether to contest the parliamentary polls or not,” he said.
