PANAJI
Amid growing unease within the BJP over the political implications of the ST reservation process, the party leadership has warned its leaders against entering constituencies represented by fellow BJP legislators and creating disturbances.
BJP Goa president Damu Naik issued the warning after a core committee meeting at the party headquarters in Panaji, stating the party would not tolerate such conduct and that its discipline and principles had to be respected.
“While everyone is interested in the growth of the party, no one should go beyond the BJP’s discipline and principles... The issue would be discussed with the concerned leaders,” Naik said.
His remarks came in the backdrop of Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai expressing interest in contesting from Curchorem, the constituency currently represented by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral.
Phal Dessai had recently welcomed the Centre’s notification on political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the tribal community. Asked about his political future, he had said he would abide by the BJP’s decision.
However, on Friday, Phal Dessai indicated that he could consider entering Curchorem. “For the last two years, Curchorem people have been requesting me to make my presence there. Now I will assess the situation, speak to those people and seek their reconfirmation. I may consider contesting from Curchorem,” he said.
Cabral, when asked about the growing interest in his constituency, said the decision on the party ticket would rest with the BJP and could not be taken by any individual. “Everyone knows what is happening in Curchorem,” Cabral said, without elaborating.
Naik’s warning came as the BJP has stepped up its organisational preparations ahead of the Assembly elections, with the party also working on programmes where senior central leaders would be participating.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, also present at the meeting, said the process for the implementation of the notification would be completed within a month. He also sought to allay apprehensions over the Centre’s notification and its reference to the 2001 Census.
“The notification issued by the Central Government followed due legal examination and there should be no confusion over the reference to the 2001 Census. The appointed Commissioner would consider population figures up to the present date and that the process would be completed before the Assembly elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, the core committee meeting discussed around 10 issues, including the proposed visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Goa on September 6 and 7, programs planned during his visit including possible inauguration of a new BJP office and the proposed visit of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The meeting also took up the process for political reservation for STs in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
