Goa polls 2017: Uddhav Thackeray to hold talks with RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray will hold talks with rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar on October 16 for firming up an alliance with his recently launched party Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) for the upcoming Goa Assembly polls. Velingkar has announced plans to contest the Assembly elections scheduled early next year.

"Thackeray, during his Goa visit, will meet Subhash Velingkar on October 16 and their discussion would revolve around forging an alliance with GSM for the upcoming polls," Goa Shiv Sena chief Sudip Tamankar said on Wednesday.

Shiv Sena has already submitted a proposal for tie-up with GSM, he said, adding the saffron outfit has laid claim on 20 of the 40 Assembly constituencies, but seat-sharing can be discussed once alliance is finalised, he said.

Velingkar is campaigning, under the banner of Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), for regional languages as medium of instruction in Goa schools. GSM is an off-shoot of BBSM. His campaign has caused a rift between him, ruling BJP and also RSS.

Thackeray, whose party is an ally of BJP in Maharashtra and also at the Centre, will arrive in Goa on October 15 evening. Later, he will hold a meeting with shortlisted candidates in a five-star resort near Panaji. The Sena chief would address party workers on October 16 at Porvorim village near here before meeting Velingkar in the afternoon.

During his visit, Thackeray would be hosting a dinner for editors of newspapers and news channels in the State. He will conclude his visit on October 17 after addressing a press conference.