the BJP high command has given its green signal to the State government to go ahead with its existing policy on medium of instruction (MoI), continuing grants to 127 English medium primary schools.
The decision seems to have not gone down well with two BJP members, as Panchayats Minister Rajendra Arlekar expressed his displeasure over the decision during the meeting, and Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh preferred to skip the meeting. While Arlekar remained unavailable for comments, Wagh said the party needs to be sentimental towards the people’s view and that he stands by the BBSM demand.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, on Tuesday evening, held a special meeting with all 21 BJP MLAs (including ministers), apprising them about the decision taken by party president Amit Shah.
While deciding to continue grants to English medium primary schools, the BJP-government has ruled out all possibility of introducing the policy in the Assembly for debate and passing.
A senior BJP MLA said, “Amitji was of the opinion that states like Goa, Nagaland, Mizoram are different compared to other states and that here grants need to be given to schools for supporting the education of the child.”
“The party high command is of the opinion that grants to English schools should be continued and that there is no need to pass the policy in the House. We cannot take risk in the election year. We need to play safe,” the MLA said.
Last week Arlekar had expressed his unhappiness over the government’s decision of giving grants claiming it as a ‘mistake’ and that government should withdraw it.
“During the meeting Arlekar was not at all happy with the decision. He expressed it in the meeting. But being the only voice, he had no choice but to remain silent,” the MLA said confirming that Wagh did not attend the meeting.
Sources told Herald that Parsekar also requested Shah to ask the RSS to do something about Subhash Velingkar, the RSS chief in Goa. Velingkar is one of the leaders of the BBSM and has been criticising the BJP on the MoI.
The policy is currently pending before the standing committee of the State Legislative Assembly.
The BBSM has been demanding roll back of its decision to give grants to English schools, failing which it has threatened of major consequences during 2017 polls.
