The removal of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the Cabinet may have been framed by the BJP as a stand against indiscipline, but it has triggered unease within Goa’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, which Gaude represents.
A day after his ouster, Gaude toldO Heraldothat he was still in the dark about the reasons behind the decision. “I don’t know the reasons for my removal from the Cabinet. I will study and then comment. Give me some time,” he said, urging his constituents to remain calm.
He asserted that he would continue fighting for people’s issues as an MLA and hinted that his dismissal might be linked to his efforts in exposing corruption that affects the marginalised, especially Scheduled Tribes.
For the BJP, the move is a calculated gamble. State party president Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik had previously warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated and had reportedly sought an explanation from Gaude before submitting his report to the party’s central leadership. However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made it clear on Thursday that the decision was his alone. “Govind Gaude’s removal was decided by me,” Sawant told reporters at the Mantralaya in Porvorim.
Speculation is rife that Gaude’s removal is part of a broader Cabinet reshuffle aimed at accommodating former Congress MLAs. While rumours suggest that more ministers may be dropped, Sawant declined to offer details, saying only, “I will inform you at the time of the new appointment.”
The spotlight now turns to Gaude’s influence within the ST community. United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) president Prakash Velip avoided commenting directly on Gaude’s removal but reaffirmed that their fight for political reservations and 12 long-standing demands would continue. “Our movement will go on,” Velip said.
Gawda Kunbi Velip & Dhangars (GAKUVED) president Govind Shirodkar was more critical, claiming Gaude had failed to address key tribal issues during his tenure. “Only one or two demands raised since 2003 have been addressed. UTAA is now aligned with the government. Gaude should be replaced by another MLA from the tribal community,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have seized on the development, interpreting Gaude’s removal as punishment for speaking out. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “It is a reflection that the BJP is intolerant of those who expose corruption.”
As the BJP toys with the imminent Cabinet reshuffle, the political fallout from Gaude’s dismissal is far from over—especially if it is perceived as sidelining ST voices or punishing dissent within party ranks.