SANGUEM
The long-awaited notification paving the way for reservation of Assembly constituencies for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Goa has been welcomed by political leaders and tribal representatives, who described it as a historic milestone achieved after decades of struggle.
The notification has been widely hailed as a landmark step towards ensuring greater political representation for Goa's Scheduled Tribe community and is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the next assembly elections.
SANGUEM MLA SUBHASH PHAL DESSAI
Minister for Social Welfare and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai welcomed the notification, calling it the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the tribal community.
He recalled that the BJP had earlier brought the Gawda, Kunbi and Velip communities under the OBC category in 2003 and said the present notification was another landmark step in empowering the Scheduled Tribe community.
"We wholeheartedly welcome this decision. Our expectation is that capable leadership should emerge from the ST community so that the people receive justice and development. Leadership should ensure overall progress of the constituency and the community," Phal Dessai said.
Responding to questions regarding his political future, the minister said he would abide by the decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"Wherever the BJP decides to field me, I am ready to contest. If the party assigns me organisational responsibilities instead, I will happily accept them. Public service is not confined to being an MLA. Whatever responsibility the party entrusts me with, I will discharge it sincerely," he stated.
Highlighting his work as MLA, Phal Dessai said he had focused extensively on the remote and tribal regions of Sanguem.
"I ensured that roads, electricity and drinking water reached the most remote villages, including Salgini, Kerim, Kazur, Mangal, Tudov and Verlem. I regularly visited every hamlet and personally followed up with government and forest officials to resolve issues affecting the poorest and most marginalised sections. I have dedicated my life to public service," he added.
QUEPEM MLA ALTONE D'COSTA
Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa also congratulated the Scheduled Tribe community, describing the notification as the fulfilment of a long-pending demand.
"Congratulations to all my ST brothers because our long-pending demand has finally been fulfilled. This is only the first step, but it is a historic one. I pay my respects to all those who sacrificed and struggled over the years. It is because of their sacrifices that our ST community is finally getting its rightful place and justice," D'Costa said.
Reflecting on his tenure as MLA, D'Costa expressed gratitude to the people of Quepem for electing him and said he had always stood firmly with the ST community.
"The people of Quepem gave me the opportunity to serve as their MLA, and in these five years I tried to do the maximum possible work for the ST community. Though time was limited, I ensured that neglected villages received roads, electricity, drinking water and other basic amenities. I am proud that I could contribute towards improving the lives of the tribal people who had remained ignored for years," he stated.
D'Costa also acknowledged that with Quepem likely to become a reserved constituency, his political future in the constituency would change.
"If the constituency becomes reserved, I may not get the opportunity to contest from Quepem again. However, I wish the very best to the new ST leader who will represent Quepem. My commitment to the Congress Party remains strong, and I will work wholeheartedly to ensure that the Congress candidate wins from Quepem.”
“I am confident that the next Congress MLA from Quepem will be a successful ST representative, and I will extend my full support," he said.
ST LEADER PRAKASH VELIP
ST leader Prakash Velip termed the notification a historic victory achieved after more than two decades of sustained struggle.
"The ST reservation notification is the culmination of a 23-year struggle. We are thankful that the long-pending demand of the tribal community has finally been recognised. We welcome the decision taken by the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although delayed, the constitutional rights envisioned by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar have finally reached our community," Velip said.
He noted that several activists and community leaders had sacrificed immensely during the movement.
"Many people struggled and made enormous sacrifices to achieve this goal. Their contribution will always be remembered. We are grateful that justice has finally been delivered. We are also pleased that this announcement has come before the major tribal rally scheduled on August 13," he said.
On the issue of which Assembly constituencies would eventually be reserved, Velip clarified that the final decision rests with the Election Commission and the Delimitation Commission.
"Now that the notification has been issued, the allocation of reserved constituencies will be determined by the Election Commission and the Delimitation Commission based on population distribution. We will respect that constitutional process," he said.
