Panaji: Scheduled Tribe (ST) leaders have submitted a memorandum to Damu Naik seeking the speedy implementation of political reservation for the ST community in Goa.
The leaders said a delegation headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon to discuss the issue and push for its early resolution.
Meanwhile, Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar clarified that despite the ST population in Canacona being around 25–26 percent, there will be no ST reservation in the constituency at present. He alleged that some individuals were attempting to play caste politics in the region but emphasized that addressing the concerns of the ST community remains his priority.
Tawadkar said he was elected by people from all communities and maintained that the decision on reserved constituencies rests with the Election Commission, not the state government.
ST leader Prakash Velip stated that the process of political reservation is ongoing and that community representatives will soon hold discussions with Chief Minister Sawant. He rejected claims of caste-based politics and expressed confidence that ST reservation would be implemented before the next Assembly elections, with the possibility of further expansion by 2027.
