Team Herald
PANJIM: Firm on its decision to follow the ‘triple-test’ mandate laid down by the Supreme Court for OBC reservation, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the government had no ulterior motive behind seeking postponement of panchayat elections but wanted to ensure “justice” is delivered to all.
Addressing media persons on Friday, Sawant said that the government’s only contention was the ‘triple test’ mandate laid down by the Supreme Court so that all the 19 sub-casts of the OBC community get equal representation in ward reservation.
“We are ready for elections, whenever they are held. At the same time, we want to ensure that no injustice is meted out to OBCs. All the 19 sub-casts of OBC should get representation in ward reservations. That was the only contention. We have no other ulterior motive,” Sawant said on the sidelines of the E-Book of Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan Programme, organised by the BJP.
Sawant informed that the Directorate of Panchayat (DoP) has already submitted raw data regarding the OBC population to the State OBC Commission, who in consultation with the Directorate of Social Welfare and DoP will prepare the final data.
“In the coming eight to ten days, the data will be submitted to the State Election Commission (SEC) for undertaking ward reservation,” he said adding ‘that we will ensure that no injustice is done to the OBC community.
Later speaking, BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade said that since the elections are not held on party lines, their supported candidates will be contesting the elections.
“We are fully prepared…we are never afraid to go for polls…we are just worried that due to monsoon, there might be lower voter turnout…everyone might not able to exercise their right to vote,” he said.
