CANACONA
The Canacona BJP Mandal has credited MLA Ramesh Tawadkar as the driving force behind tribal welfare, social upliftment and political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa.
At a press conference in Chaudi on Sunday, Mandal president Prabhakar Gaonkar, Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita Tawadkar, Shristhal Sarpanch Sejal Gaonkar and others congratulated Tawadkar on joining the Pramod Sawant Cabinet. They also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and BJP MPs for ensuring the passage of the Goa ST Reservation Bill.
Savita Tawadkar said her husband had been fighting for tribal rights since 2002, playing a key role in forming GAKUVED and in the Balli agitation that demanded ST status for Gauda, Kunbi and Velip communities.
She recalled that as Tribal Welfare Minister, Tawadkar had launched 24 schemes for tribals.
Sejal Gaonkar said these schemes had strengthened the community socially, while former sarpanch Ganesh Gaonkar noted Tawadkar’s role in securing political reservation for tribals.
Prabhakar Gaonkar said Tawadkar was rightly seen as the pioneer of tribal rights in Goa for his contribution to ST status, welfare schemes and political representation.
Mandal leaders Divakar Pagui, Shabha Naik Gaonkar, Vinda Satarkar and Vrunda Velip were also present.
