PANAJI
The United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA), the umbrella body of Scheduled Tribes in Goa, held a mass melava on Thursday to pressure the government on its pending demand of political reservation, where BJP leader and Priol MLA, Govind Gaude was in a belligerent mood.
Speaking at the United Sports Club ground in Mardol, Gaude thundered: “Our community has been used repeatedly for political gains, but we have never bowed down. We will never bow down. Reservation is our right, not charity,” he said.
Gaude also stressed on unity among STs to intensify the demand. Independent MLA from Cortalim, Anton Vaz, former minister Prakash Velip, former legislator Vassudev Meng Gaonkar and other leaders, including Govind Shirodkar, Durgadas Gaude and Vishwas Gaude, joined Gaude at the melava where a large crowd of tribals from across the State braved the rains.. Gaude, who lost his position in the cabinet over a year ago after a belligerent speech critical of the administration dealing with tribal affairs at a similar melava in Ponda, also claimed that other communities from the OBC category and the Scheduled Castes secured reservation in government jobs only because of UTAA’s struggle. “STs are not begging. We are demanding our constitutional right,” Gaude said. He also cautioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant against relying on advisers who oppose ST reservation. “In future, no government can be formed without ST MLAs. Yet, I congratulate the CM for taking steps despite resistance,” Gaude said and warned that the community is capable of showing those in power their place. Prakash Velip underlined the urgency of implementing reservation before the 2027 Assembly elections. “Schemes for STs are the fruit of our struggle. People have set aside differences and come together in strength. We must continue to be united in the fight. In the next Assembly, four ST MLAs will enter. We must prepare to welcome them,” he said.
UTAA leaders meanwhile decided to meet the President within a month to press their case for political reservations. The melava ended with a call for sustained mobilisation and leaders urged the community to remain united, intensify the agitation, and ensure that reservation is delivered before the next polls, due in early 2027.
