PANJIM: While on one hand, GAKUVED Federation, an organisation representing the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, has launched a campaign against the BJP in rural areas over the issue of giving political reaservation to the community, on the other hand, the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) and Mission Political Reservation for ST Community (MPRSTC) are toeing a different line.
These organisations have announced that they will not endorse any political party from South Goa for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 7. However, UTAA President Prakash Velip appreciated the Union Cabinet’s decision regarding political reservation for the ST Community and informed that any member of the organisation was entitled to support the BJP on an individual basis.
Mission Political Reservations for ST Community, an organisation in South Goa, clarified its stance akin to UTAA. The mission expressed that while it will not officially endorse any political party, “members are at liberty to support the party and candidate of their choice,” the mission’s president, Adv Joao Fernandes, said.
Consequently, it has come to light that there exists a disparity among ST community organizations regarding the issue of political reservation.
When asked about this different stance of UTAA, the leaders of ‘GAKUVED’, have expressed displeasure.
“If nothing has been decided about reservation yet, then on what basis is this organization congratulating the government?” asked Rupesh Velip, Secretary of GAKUVED. He also said that they will continue our work of anti-BJP public awareness and that what UTAA does, is their choice.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Sadanand Tanawade claimed that party’s poll prospects won’t be affected because of protests by a handful of ST leaders.
“The ST community is with the BJP. Let them do their work, we have started ours in South Goa,” Tanavade said.
