CANACONA
Speakers at the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) meeting in Canacona have hit out at the ST community leadership within the government, accusing them of playing politics and undermining the community.
An awareness meeting was convened at Yedda-Cotigao in view of the postponement of celebration of the World Tribal Day (July 9), in which UTAA President Prakash Velip, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, Durgadas Gawade, ZP (Poinguinim) Shobhana Velip, Gomant Gaud Maratha President Vishwas Gaude and other community leaders spoke on the injustice being done to the community in various spheres.
Without naming anyone, Prakash Velip openly hit out at community leaders within the government for playing politics even to the extent of not allotting the Tribal Welfare portfolio to the community member within the cabinet, in a virtual reference to Minister Govind Gaude.
“In the 2027 elections after having met our demands for ST reservation, there should be an ST Chief Minister in Goa. UTAA is the backbone of ST community and no one should unnecessarily try to pull down the ST leaders or try to spoil the image of leaders affiliated to UTAA,” said Velip.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude admitted he was unaware as to why the tribal ministry had not been given to him.
“But as far I am concerned, I did justice to the tribal welfare ministry when I was the tribal minister. I simply cannot understand who may have had a hand in denying me the tribal ministry. However, I will continue to take up community-related issues,” said the minister.
Gomant Gaud Maratha President Vishwas Gaude also accused a leader belonging to the community of hurting their own leaders.
“The classic example is that despite having a well-versed and capable minister belonging to ST community in the cabinet, the tribal welfare ministry has not been given to him. Unfortunately, the same force is trying to sow division within the ST community. Due to this crab mentality of some of our own ST leaders, our community is still lagging behind,” said Gaude.
UTAA Secretary Dr Uday Gaonkar said the ST community never got anything without agitations or compelling authorities to provide justice.
Others who spoke included Durgadas Gawade, Arjun Gaonkar and Anand Gaonkar.
Many of the people present in the meet said they would rally behind Minister Govind Gaude till he is given the tribal welfare ministry.
An awareness meeting was convened at Yedda-Cotigao in view of the postponement of celebration of the World Tribal Day (July 9), in which UTAA President Prakash Velip, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, Durgadas Gawade, ZP (Poinguinim) Shobhana Velip, Gomant Gaud Maratha President Vishwas Gaude and other community leaders spoke on the injustice being done to the community in various spheres.
Without naming anyone, Prakash Velip openly hit out at community leaders within the government for playing politics even to the extent of not allotting the Tribal Welfare portfolio to the community member within the cabinet, in a virtual reference to Minister Govind Gaude.
“In the 2027 elections after having met our demands for ST reservation, there should be an ST Chief Minister in Goa. UTAA is the backbone of ST community and no one should unnecessarily try to pull down the ST leaders or try to spoil the image of leaders affiliated to UTAA,” said Velip.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude admitted he was unaware as to why the tribal ministry had not been given to him.
“But as far I am concerned, I did justice to the tribal welfare ministry when I was the tribal minister. I simply cannot understand who may have had a hand in denying me the tribal ministry. However, I will continue to take up community-related issues,” said the minister.
Gomant Gaud Maratha President Vishwas Gaude also accused a leader belonging to the community of hurting their own leaders.
“The classic example is that despite having a well-versed and capable minister belonging to ST community in the cabinet, the tribal welfare ministry has not been given to him. Unfortunately, the same force is trying to sow division within the ST community. Due to this crab mentality of some of our own ST leaders, our community is still lagging behind,” said Gaude.
UTAA Secretary Dr Uday Gaonkar said the ST community never got anything without agitations or compelling authorities to provide justice.
Others who spoke included Durgadas Gawade, Arjun Gaonkar and Anand Gaonkar.
Many of the people present in the meet said they would rally behind Minister Govind Gaude till he is given the tribal welfare ministry.
