MARGAO
Nuvem Assembly constituency has emerged as the focal point of an intense political debate amid growing speculation that it could be one of the four Assembly constituencies to be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
While the final decision rests with the Election Commission of India after the Union Government issues the requisite notification to operationalise the law passed by Parliament providing political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Nuvem has increasingly featured in political discussions as a constituency that could qualify for reservation.
The constituency is home to a sizeable Scheduled Tribe population, particularly across the villages of Verna, Nuvem and Loutolim, making it one of the constituencies being closely watched during the anticipated reservation exercise.
Political futures at stake
With the Centre yet to issue the notification, uncertainty continues to prevail among political parties, aspiring candidates and voters alike. Political observers say the eventual reservation of the constituency would dramatically alter the electoral landscape, forcing several prominent leaders and ticket aspirants out of the contest if they do not belong to the Scheduled Tribe community.
Among those whose political future in Nuvem hinges on the reservation decision are sitting MLA Alexio Sequeira, former MLA Wilfred D'Sa, former minister Mickky Pacheco and his wife Viola, emerging political challenger Lyndon Monteiro, and Congress leaders Everson Vales and Pausilipo Dourado. If the constituency is reserved for ST candidates, all of them would become ineligible to contest from Nuvem in the 2027 Assembly election.
Despite the uncertainty, incumbent MLA Alexio Sequeira, former Goa Vikas Party president Lyndon Monteiro and Congress leader Everson Vales have all publicly stated that they have no objection if Nuvem is reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
Support for reservation
Meanwhile, even as speculation over the constituency's future continues, political realignments are gathering momentum ahead of the next Assembly election.
Former GVK chief Lyndon Monteiro has announced his decision to join the Congress, describing it as the only political platform capable of protecting Goa's interests. "I have decided to join the Congress party. It is the only party which offers hope to save whatever is left of Goa. I have already launched my vision document for the Nuvem constituency and will soon formally join the Congress along with my supporters," Monteiro said.
"If Nuvem is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, I will wholeheartedly work for the candidate fielded by the Congress. I have absolutely no issue if the constituency is reserved for the ST community," he said.
Until the notification is issued, every political move in Nuvem will be viewed through the prism of possible reservation, with prospective candidates forced to prepare for a contest whose very contours remain uncertain.
