Parrikar lost "people's sympathy" not stepping down from CM post at "right time": GSM

Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has lost "people's sympathy" as he did not step down from his post due to ill-health at the "right time", the Goa Suraksha Manch claimed Thursday. The GSM is a political outfit mentored by former RSS Goa unit chief Subhash Velingkar who is expected to join the party as a full-time functionary Sunday.

The GSM was formed in the run-up to the 2017 Goa Assembly polls by supporters of Velingkar, who was sacked from the post of RSS Goa chief due to his criticism of Parrikar on the issue of medium of instruction in elementary education.

Speaking to reporters here, GSM president Atmaram Gaonkar said, "There is no sympathy left for Parrikar. If Parrikar had stepped down at the right time and guided other party leaders to run the (state) administration, he would have been respected and earned sympathy (of the people)."

Addressing a press conference, GSM general secretary Sandip Parade taunted the Goa CM and claimed that Parrikar would get "sympathy" only from the "casino lobby and corrupt people". Speaking about the entry of Velingkar into GSM, Gaonkar said the move would encourage "dissatisfied" BJP cadre to join the outfit. "Velingkar will be joining the party officially on Sunday," Goankar said, adding there was growing resentment among BJP workers against the state administration.

Velingkar, on November 11, had told reporters here that 'Bharat Mata Ki Jay', the non-political outfit he headed, had allowed him to enter politics through the Goa Suraksha Manch.