Goa Minister mocks Shiv Sena’s plan

Panaji: The Shiv Sena, a party identified with an unsheathed sword, would scare Christians in Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, here on Monday, while scoffing at the newly touted alliance between Goa opposition parties and the right-wing outfit.
Rane, a Maratha by caste, said he would gladly offer Opposition MLAs antique swords from his armoury if they wanted to sign up with the Sena for an anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in the state.
“Those who are talking about aligning with the Sena are already half dead because when Christians see the Sena they feel scared. We don’t want such a party in Goa,” Rane said. Christians account for nearly one-fourth of the state’s 1.5 million population.
“If they want a sword, I can give them that were used in the revolt against the Portuguese. I will give each of the nine opposition MLAs a sword each. But I will not offer a sword to my father out of respect,” Rane said.
The Health Minister’s father Pratapsingh Rane, a former Chief Minister, is a Congress MLA.
While the BJP-led coalition government is supported by 30 MLAs, there are only 10 opposition MLAs in the 40-member Goa Assembly.