South BJP ST leaders accuse Velip of working against party candidates in ZP and LS elections; say party is prepared to confront any grassroots mobilisation by him
ST leaders from South Goa led by Party district president Prabhakar Gaonkar, Zilla Panchayat members, ex-ZP members, panchas addressing the media to counter UTAA chief Prakash Velip’s outbursts against the government.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The rift seemed wide open within the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community – a segment that has long been a core voter base of the ruling party.
If Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took the bold decision to drop Govind Gaude from his Cabinet for indiscipline, the party on Tuesday sent a clear message that it will not hesitate to take head on the ST leadership led by UTAA chief Prakash Velip, who had openly aligned with the ousted Art and Culture Minister.
In fact, a day after UTAA leaders squarely blamed the government behind the restraint order against UTAA, the saffron brigade moved swiftly on Tuesday to counter any damage. The party drafted ST leaders from South Goa to take UTAA chief Prakash Velip head on.
Leading the charge were BJP’s South Goa District President and ST leader Prabhakar Gaonkar, South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Sanjana Velip, and Zilla Panchayat members Kushali Velip and Shanu Velip — all hailing from Quepem taluka. They launched a scathing attack on the UTAA chief, accusing him of working against the party during recent elections.
The presence of BJP ST leaders from Quepem assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that Prakash Velip hails from Quepem and has his influence spread across the taluka, given that he had earlier represented Quepem in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The BJP’s response to Velip’s statements seemed loud and clear — the party is ready to face any grassroots mobilisation he may attempt over alleged anti-tribal government decisions. At a media briefing convened by the BJP’s ST Cell on Tuesday, the ST leadership sent a strong message: the party is prepared to take on Prakash Velip’s influence head-on.
BJP district president Prabhakar Gaonkar set the ball rolling when he condemned Prakash Velip’s statements blaming the BJP government behind the District Registrar’s order restraining UTAA leadership from using the party banner, seal, etc.
In fact, Prabhakar and others charged Prakash for enjoying positions in the government during the BJP’s stint in power. “The tribal communities had got the ST status in 2003 primarily because of the BJP government. When the BJP returned to power in 2012, the government headed by former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar has set in motion various schemes tailored for the STs. The Bill to provide Political Reservations for the STs is presently in Parliament because of the BJP. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is working to resolve all ST issues,” Gaonkar said, demanding to know how come Prakash Velip says the BJP is not working for the STs.
To a question on the threat posed by Prakash Velip to go to the people, Gaonkar said, “We will also go to the people and counter any false propaganda. We will tell the people that the BJP has done maximum work for the tribal communities. Prakash Velip has also taken maximum benefits from the government.”
BJP confident of ST support despite rebel’s claims
In a bid to counter any damage that may be caused by Prakash Velip and his team to the party core voter base, Prabhakar Gaonkar made it clear that the Scheduled Tribes have always aligned with the BJP and will remain with the ruling dispensation in the future as well. “The tribal communities will not fall prey to any misinformation or propaganda against the government. The tribal people know who had introduced the various schemes for them. They have full faith in the BJP,” Gaonkar said, while dismissing Prakash Velip’s threat to fan out to the wards and villages to explain government’s anti-tribal decisions.
He further said all the Zilla Panchayat members Sanjana Velip (Guirdolim), Kushali Velip (Barcem) and Shanu Velip (Cola) are solidly behind the BJP and the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Gaonkar also did not go into the decision to drop Govind Gaude from the Cabinet, saying it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister who to induct or drop from his Ministry.
BJP slams Velip, questions his party loyalty
The BJP district president was clear in saying that Prakash Velip has never voted for the BJP, accusing him for working against South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Sanjana Velip during the Zilla Panchayat elections.
When asked whether any action will be initiated against Prakash Velip for his outbursts against the government, Gaonkar said, “how come any action will be taken when Velip himself has confessed at the media briefing that he is not a member of the BJP.”
He added: “As far as Prakash Velip is concerned, I do not know whether he has renewed his party membership during the drive. At least, his application did not come to me being the district president. I do not know whether he had got his membership renewed online.”
Another BJP ST leader even claimed that Prakash Velip did not vote for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, saying the party has evidence against him for anti-party activities.
ZP chief defends party, slams Velip for betrayal
The district Zilla Panchayat chief Sanjana Velip accused Prakash Velip for working against her in the Zilla Panchayat polls. “Prakash Velip goes to the town tom tomming about the STs. But, he had worked against me in the election. That time he did not realise we all belong to the Scheduled Tribes communities,” she questioned.
Sanjana Velip, the Guirdolim Zilla Panchayat member, holding fort for the BJP at the South Goa Zilla Panchayat, made it clear that if there is one party, which has given the STs recognition and their constitutional rights, it is the BJP.
Velip did nothing for tribal development: BJP ST Morcha
PANAJI: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ST Morcha president, Prabhakar Gaonkar, has accused UTAA president Prakash Velip of using the tribal community for his own benefit till date.
Gaonkar, a former Sanguem MLA, said while he was in the BJP, Velip worked against the party in elections.
“Factless allegations made against the BJP government by Velip will not be tolerated,” Gaonkar who addressed a press conference at the BJP office in Panaji said, adding that it was not the BJP government but a quasi-judicial sub-registrar that banned the UTAA organisation.
“The allegations made by Prakash Velip are irresponsible and the tribal community will not tolerate them,” said Prabhakar Gaonkar.
Gaonkar was accompanied by another former MLA, Vassudev Meng Gaonkar, Sanjana Velip, Khola Zilla Panchayat member Shanu Velip, Gopal Surlakar, Mohan Gaonkar, Anthony Barboza and other BJP ST leaders.
Prakash Velip was a long-time MLA and minister and held various positions as a leader of the tribal community but did nothing for the development of the tribal community, the BJP tribal leaders alleged.
