Goa polls: Shiv Sena in talks with RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar's party

Panaji: The Shiv Sena in Goa has started negotiations for seats with a new political party mentored by rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar, state Sena President Sudip Tamhankar said on Tuesday.

"We have given our proposal of 20 seats to the Goa Suraksha Manch. Now it is up to them to get back to us. We are open to negotiations. We are likely to meet in a day or two over this issue," Tamhankar told the media.

Velingkar was sacked as the Goa vibhag pramukh of the RSS following his criticism of the BJP-led government in Goa, especially Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, over the failure to stop government grants to English medium primary schools, most of which are run by a Society operated by the influential Roman Catholic Church in Goa.

The former state RSS leader is now a mentor of the Goa Suraksha Manch, which is expected to contest the upcoming assembly elections.

Tamhankar said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray would be arriving in Goa later this month to address party workers and office bearers.