TEAM HERALD
PONDA: St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh on Sunday stated that with the party whip coming in the way, discussions on crucial bills such as amendment to the Tenancy Act had become difficult.
He was speaking at United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) convention, organised on the occasion of its tenth anniversary at Bethora-Ponda.
Speaking further, Wagh refuted the allegation by the people that no MLA opposed the amendment to the Tenancy Act. “I had submitted my opposition against it, but no debates are allowed in recent times in the Goa assembly while passing bills. Today, the political situation has changed compared to olden days when MLAs were free to take part in discussion and oppose bills, which were against the interest of the public,” stated Wagh.
“Those days have gone and now the party whips are prevailing in the assembly,” he said and added that he was against the amendment to the Tenancy Act.
“At present, I will openly take part to oppose the amendment to the bill,” he added.
He also strongly supported and demanded that six MLAs should be elected to Goa legislative assembly, which means 12 per cent political reservation for UTAA community.
He said there is no scope for ST and Bahujan Samaj in Goan politics and they will have to create their space in politics by fighting for their rights.
UTAA President Prakash Velip said they had submitted a memorandum to then chief minister Manohar Parrikar opposing amendment to the Tenancy Act, but the government passed the amendment.
UTAA convenor Govind Gavde blamed the government for failure to introduce political reservation for ST community.
On the occasion, two books highlighting history of UTAA work were released and many UTAA activists who fought for the rights were felicitated. UTAA President Prakash Velip, convenor Govind Gavde, Yashwant Gawde, Ravindra Gaonkar and others were present. About 8,000 members attended the function.
