More so because the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM)
already announcing fielding candidates for the forthcoming elections.
BJP State unit president Vinay Tendulkar refused to comment
of former RSS chief in Goa Subash Velingkar but said he was not against BBSM
floating a new party.
“Velingkar sacking is their internal matter which I would
not like to comment upon,” he said.
However, he said, “we would not like to comment on BBSM’s
decision but in a democracy, everybody has the right to float a party and
contest elections.”
“We (RSS-BJP) have worked together for ages and will
continue to do so. This (RSS leaving BJP) has not happened elsewhere in the
country and will never happen,”Tendulkar added.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo says, the issue needs to be
sorted out at the earliest.
“This may not have much impact in my constituency but
elsewhere there are RSS workers supporting BJP and it could have an impact and
I feel the issue has to be sorted out at the earliest,” he said.
Deputy CHief Minister Francis D’Souza has also clearly said
the issue needs to be studied and sorted.
“We have no idea and only time will tell what impact this
crisis may have on election results. I have some RSS workers as supporters but
I don’t know to what extent they would react,” he said.
While Michael and D’Souza spoke on the issue the others
refused o be quoted citing the controversial nature of the issue.
“Our party leaders are seized of the situation and are
working to resolve the problem so let us wait and watch,” said an MLA.
Another said, the issue may have major impact in rural areas
of Mandrem, Siolim, Bicholim, Sanguem, Thivim and Quepem where there are large
number of RSS sevaks.
“Most of our supporters are also workers of RSS, what
happens if they decide to vote for the new party floated by BBSM. It will
clearly divide BJP votes,” he said.
“It is not the time to guage the impact of the issue but to see
how it can be rectified. We don’t have much time left on our hands,” said one
leader from north.
He said that the opposition, which is non-existent right
now, should not get an opportunity to make a come back.
