EDITORIAL
Will BJP agree to reserve seats for tribals in the forthcoming Assembly elections?
The meeting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) leaders, held on Sunday in Utorda, was different from those held over the past few years. The leaders came together, revived the United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA), and gave a clear message that they will not stay quiet if their long-standing demand for political reservation in the forthcoming Assembly elections is not fulfilled.
This was not the first gathering they came together. It was at the Prerna Din event held at the end of May that their unity became visible. One or two months earlier, Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar, Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Priol MLA Govind Gaude and several other leaders, realising that only a united front could help achieve their goal of political reservation, decided to bury the hatchet and work together. Last month, Gaonkar called a meeting of prominent ST leaders in the assembly complex.
Beyond political reservation, it was the evolving dynamics of Goa’s political chessboard that also brought them together, say political analysts. With new candidates being propped up in BJP-ruled constituencies, allegedly with the patronage of some senior party leaders, the incumbent MLAs are under pressure. They are not sure whether the party will renominate them.
Sunday’s meeting was held in view of the status quo on the political reservation issue. Anger and disappointment were visible, with some leaders questioning the delay in issuing a notification to implement the Bill passed by Parliament last year. Being in the ruling party and holding top positions in the government, with one holding a constitutional post, the main leaders may have been reluctant to issue any ultimatum to the government.
The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, which the Union Law Minister moved in Parliament in August 2024, was passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in August 2025. The Bill received the President’s assent in September last year. Condemning the delay in its implementation, ST leader Govind Shirodkar said the government should not test their patience. Some leaders said that time was running out, as the administration would need two months to complete the process of securing political reservation for STs in the forthcoming polls. If the elections are called early, then the chances of the process being completed will be slim, said one speaker.
In May, BJP leaders visited Delhi to push for the implementation of reservation for STs in the forthcoming Assembly polls. After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sawant said on a social media platform: “Grateful for his positive assurance and full cooperation in ensuring implementation of this important matter for our tribal communities.” Within days, there were demands for reservation from two other caste groups, including the Marathas. On Sunday, Gaude was clear in stating that they were not trying to eat into other samaj’s seats. UTAA chief Prakash Velip said that Goa is the only state where STs have no political reservation yet.
As per the 2011 Census, the ST population stood at approximately 10.23% of Goa’s population. Accordingly, they expect four Assembly seats – namely Sanguem, Quepem, Priol and Nuvem – to be reserved for STs.
It remains to be seen how the ST political reservation issue evolves. BJP cannot afford to antagonise tribal voters. However, it also anticipates an angry reaction from Marathas and others if STs are granted seat reservation. Will the BJP do a balancing act to please all the samaj communities? Another question is: if ST reservation is not provided for the forthcoming Assembly polls, what will their leaders do?
