Sena to launch poll manifesto for Goa after Diwali

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who is currently in Goa to launch the campaign said he would be visiting the coastal state again after Diwali to discuss seat-sharing with GSM.

Panaji, Oct 23: Shiv Sena will launch its manifesto for the upcoming Goa polls after Diwali during which seat sharing with RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar-led Goa Suraksha Manch will also be finalised.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who is currently in Goa to launch the campaign said he would be visiting the coastal state again after Diwali to discuss seat-sharing with GSM.

"It is not fair to talk about election manifesto at this juncture when talks for an alliance are underway. We will be back to talk about election issues," he told reporters today.

Soft paddling on the issue of migration in Goa, Thackeray said it is the failure of the respective state governments to provide employment which forces people to move to other states.

Thackeray refused that migration in Goa would be an election issue but promised that if his party is voted to power, they will ensure that the people don't have to leave the coastal state in search of jobs.

He said that Sena will connect to the Catholic population in the state during the upcoming polls. "There is no denial that we are a party with Hindutva ideology. But that does not mean we hate other religions. Our principle of Hindutva is surrounding the person who is patriotic in his views and act. The communal harmony existing in Goa will continue even in future," he said.

Responding to a question, he said Sena's alliance with BJP in Maharashtra should not be a detrimental factor for the party to forge alliance with non-BJP parties outside the state of Maharashtra.

"Outside Maharashtra we are free to align with any like-minded party.The issues outside Maharashtra are different," he said.

PTI