MARGAO: Congress Fatorda block president Joseph D’Silva appealed to the state government to reserve Fatorda for ST community in the forthcoming assembly elections since the constituency has the maximum ST residents. Fatorda constituency is presently represented by independent MLA Vijai Sardessai,
Addressing media in Margao, D’Silva said `We urge the government and the Chief Minister to reserve Fatorda constituency for ST if the state government is seriously concerned about the welfare of the community”.
D’Silva alleged that the present MLA did not fulfill his promises given to ST people.
Piedade Noronha, another ST leader of Fatorda said when Prakash Velip and Ramesh Tawadkar were in UTAA agitation, they fought for ST benefits, but when Tawadkar became the tribal minister, he did not speak a word in favour of the ST community.
Meanwhile, BJP member and ST leader Prakash Velip on Monday said that the ST members’ convention is scheduled on July 31 at 4 pm at Margao Dayvadnya hall. Addressing the media Velip said, “A committee of active members of the ST community will be formed to fight for ST demands”. The convention will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Defense Manohar Parrikar in the presence of other leaders.