MARGAO
Even as Quepem, Sanguem and Priol are widely expected to be the three Assembly constituencies reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community based on their high tribal population, uncertainty continues over the fourth constituency eligible for reservation — Nuvem in Salcete or Canacona.
The debate has gained momentum a day after the Union Law Ministry notified the legislation providing political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
While Nuvem has long been considered the fourth constituency likely to be reserved for the ST community based on population data, sources in Canacona have disputed that claim. They contend that Canacona has a larger ST population than Nuvem and have not ruled out legal action if Nuvem is reserved by excluding Canacona.
According to sources, Canacona ranks fourth in terms of ST population after Quepem, Sanguem and Priol. They argued that even after the exclusion of Cola village from the constituency following delimitation changes, Canacona’s tribal population remains significantly higher than that of Nuvem.
“As per the figures we have collected, the total ST population of Canacona was around 13,657 as per the 2011 Census when Cola village was part of the constituency. Even after the exclusion of Cola, the ST population of Canacona is estimated to be around 10,680. Cola village is now part of the Quepem Assembly constituency,” the sources said.
In comparison, the sources claimed that Nuvem’s ST population, based on the 2011 Census, stands at around 9,127, considerably lower than that of Canacona.
“We will certainly place these facts before the Delimitation Commission when population data is considered for determining the Assembly constituencies to be reserved for the ST community,” the sources added.
That’s not all. Sources wondered whether the Delimitation Commissioner will take into account the deletion of around 3,000-odd voters of Nuvem constituency during the SIR process.
The sources maintained that they are not opposed to political reservation for STs but insisted that the reservation should be based strictly on demographic data.
“We have no objection if Nuvem is reserved for the ST community, provided the Census figures establish that it has the fourth-largest tribal population after Quepem, Sanguem and Priol. However, if Canacona has a higher ST population than Nuvem, then Canacona should be reserved for the tribal communities,” they said.
Nuvem contenders ready to step aside for ST candidate
MARGAO: Former Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa as well as social worker Lyndon Monteiro, who was gearing up for his political debut in the 2027 Assembly elections, have welcomed the notification on the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Tribes.
Welcoming the government’s notification, Monteiro said though he has been preparing to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Nuvem, he will fully back a ST candidate in the event the constituency is reserved for the ST communities. “I have drawn up plans to join a political party ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. If Nuvem is reserved for STs, I will be ruled out from contesting the coming polls. However, I will wholeheartedly back the ST candidate fielded by the political party,” Monteiro added.
Former MLA Wilfred D’Sa echoed similar sentiments. D’Sa welcomed the government’s notification on implementing the ST Reservation law. “If I am ruled out of the fray in the event Nuvem is reserved for STs, I will support a ST candidate in the coming election,” he added.
