TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA) on Wednesday accused the BJP of targeting its leaders by deliberately opening the cases pertaining to the UTAA agitation with a sole political agenda to finish political career of its leaders.
Speaking at a news briefing at Ponda, UTAA leaders claimed that BJP during its rule opened the case pertaining to the UTAA agitation in 2009 and framed charges against UTAA leaders. They claimed that their agitation was with a sole agenda to demand their constitutional right.
However, UTAA members did not touch the issue of Balli riots, where the South Goa Sessions Court recently ordered framing of criminal charges against UTAA leader and Sport Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, UTAA Chief Prakash Velip and others.
“It is interesting to note that the agitation of 2009 during Congress regime has been charge-sheeted now during the current BJP government. I feel it is a deliberate attempt by BJP as those charged are having political image,” claimed UTAA Convenor Govind Gaude, who had lost by a narrow margin to MGP’s Deepak Dhavlikar at the Assembly election from Priol constituency.
UTAA working President Namdev Fatarpekar, UTAA Ponda President Vishwas Gawade and others were also present during the press briefing.
Incidentally, one of the UTAA leaders, Ramesh Tawadkar is the sports minister; however, UTAA members claimed that Tawadkar is being sidelined as such their demands are not being met.
“The BJP is least bothered to give us our constitutional rights and is sidelining our UTAA leader Ramesh Tawadkar,” claimed Gaude.
Gaude further said there is widespread rumour that those charged in the Balli riot case cannot contest the elections. “These are only charges and are yet to be proved. We trust the judiciary and I will appeal to people not to fall prey to any rumours,” added Gaude.
