Nitin Gadkari expressed hope that differences with rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar would be sorted out
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today expressed hope that differences with rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar would be sorted out, but made it clear that those who want to enter politics have to step down from their Sangh post.
"There is some difference of opinion with him (Velingkar) over policy decision. They (rebel RSS leaders) are our people. We will be able to discuss with them and convince them, I am sure," Mr Gadkari told reporters in the presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
The Sangh (RSS) neither fights any polls nor do its office-bearers participate in the election.
"If they want to participate in politics, they have to step down from the Sangh posts. This is a tradition of Sangh," the senior BJP leader said.
Without taking any name, Mr Gadkari said, "Some people who have taken a decision to participate in politics, have worked for the state as Sangh office-bearer and also in the social field. We have respect towards them."
Mr Velingkar had taken on the BJP government in Goa over its support for English-medium schools and was 'relieved' from his post as Rss Goa unit chief on August 31, after the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) hinted at its intent to float a political party to counter BJP in the 2017 Assembly polls.
His supporters had detached themselves from the Konkan prant of RSS, and had formed 'Goa prant', which the RSS senior leadership had refused to recognise.