Group calls for fresh census and statewide delimitation
SANGUEM
Two days after one section of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community supported the reservation of the Sanguem Assembly constituency for ST candidates, another group of ST leaders from Sanguem on Saturday submitted a petition to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant opposing the proposal.
The group demanded that a fresh census and a statewide delimitation exercise be carried out before any decision on political reservation is taken.
The representatives, all from the Sanguem constituency, urged the Chief Minister not to rely on the delimitation exercise conducted in 2008. They argued that the exercise was largely based on data from the 2001 Census, which was carried out before Goa’s tribal communities were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2003.
The delegation clarified that it was not opposed to political representation for Scheduled Tribes and fully supported constitutional safeguards for tribal communities.
However, it maintained that reserving the constituency on the basis of outdated population data would be unfair and could create social and political dissatisfaction among residents.
According to the representatives, the demographic profile of Sanguem and other constituencies in Goa has changed significantly over the years. They said this makes it necessary for the government to conduct a fresh census and undertake a comprehensive delimitation exercise before changing the reservation status of any Assembly constituency.
They further argued that introducing reservation without redrawing electoral boundaries could deprive a large section of voters of the opportunity to freely elect candidates of their choice.
In their petition, the delegation called for a transparent and scientific delimitation process across the entire State rather than focusing only on Sanguem.
The group stressed that any decision affecting political representation should be based on current population figures and taken in consultation with local communities, stakeholders and the Election Commission.
Although the delegation was presented as a broad-based group, a majority of its members are associated with the BJP. There is growing speculation that opposition to the proposed reservation is linked to concerns that Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai may become ineligible to contest from Sanguem if the constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
Against this backdrop, several groups have emerged in the constituency demanding fresh delimitation and opposing reservation of the seat. Critics allege that these efforts are aimed at retaining Sanguem as a general category constituency.
Earlier on Thursday, former Uguem sarpanch Santosh Gaonkar told a press conference that anyone opposing political reservation for Scheduled Tribes should publicly explain their reasons.
He expressed confidence that the community remains united in its demand for political reservation.
