Prominent Scheduled Tribe (ST) leaders from the Goa Forward Party (GFP) have united in strong support of their party president and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai, calling out the BJP for orchestrating a campaign of political intimidation.
Speaking at a press conference, Datta Gaonkar, a senior ST leader, slammed BJP leaders for attacking Sardesai over his recent remarks questioning the impartiality of Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. “Our leader raised a pertinent question – how can a Speaker who is meant to be neutral participate in a BJP legislative strategy meeting?” Gaonkar asked. “This reeks of bias and is a danger to democracy. It’s nothing short of an undeclared emergency.”
Gaonkar emphasized that while the Speaker has every right to meet the Chief Minister, attending a BJP planning session compromises the neutrality of his post. He warned the BJP, “Harass the opposition all you want — we will not remain silent. We stand with Vijai Sardesai.”
Gaonkar also called out BJP leader Anthony Barbosa, asking him to serve the community rather than attack leaders genuinely working for ST rights. “Vijai has always led from the front on ST reservations. His commitment is unwavering.”
Nimesia Faleiro, a young ST leader and Margao Municipal Councillor, echoed the sentiment. “The ST community knows who is working for us. Sardesai has won three consecutive elections — we don’t need BJP to lecture us.”
She reaffirmed the opposition’s right to question the Speaker’s actions, stating, “People expect Vijai to speak up — and he will continue doing so. File as many cases as you want — we’re not afraid.”
Adding a powerful analogy, Anthony Colaco, the new Navelim block president, likened the Speaker’s action to a football referee joining one team mid-game. “Wouldn’t the other team question fairness?” he asked.
Colaco thanked Sardesai for empowering grassroots ST leaders. “Vijai gave me this opportunity. That’s why I joined GFP — he’s fighting for us.”
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