Wagh in favour of ST status
for Dhangars, flays politics
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJIDeputy Speaker Vishnu Surya Wagh has said that he is completely in favour of the demand of the Dhangar (Gawali Community) for attaining reserve category ST status.
“I had express my opinion on this issue when it was raised in the Goa Assembly during the last session. When the community had decided to organise Dhangar conference, I had expressed my willingness to even attend the conference in support of their demand for ST status,” he said.
"Thereafter I had even received an invitation from ST leaders with a request to attend the conference, but the same leaders today morning informed me saying that they have got some problem, and that I should not attend the conference. This was a message sent to me by ST leaders therefore I cancelled my decision to attend the conference held at Panaji today," said Wagh.
Further he said that he received a message from ST leaders saying that they have decided not to entertain any MLA. At the same time he said that it is wrong to keep away elected MLAs from community conferences and mentioned that Chandrakant Kavlekar is playing politics in community development work.
Wagh further said that there are lots of people belonging to the Dhangar community in places such as Sanguem, Canacona, Sanvordem, Valpoi, Poriem, Mayem and Bicholim. "Kavlekar feels that if MLAs from this areas attend the confernence the importance of Kavlekar will be diminished and therefore he kept aside the MLAs."
Wagh further said issue of reservation as ST will not be solved with this type of politics. It would be solved only with the cooperation of MLAs from all parties, which Babu Kavlekar should take a note, he mentioned.
