Tawadkar, Velip factions of ST movement project united front

Margao: In what tribal leaders described as a historic occasion, the Tawadkar and Velip factions of Goa's Scheduled Tribe movement called a truce , with tribal welfare minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar vowing to sink differences in the interest of the community.

The reconciliation is significant given the bitter public fallout between Tawadkar and the Velip-Gaude camp as recently as Nov 2024, when Tawadkar had threatened to resign as Speaker over disparaging remarks directed at him at a tribal rally in Farmagudi. Former minister Prakash Velip, considered close to Priol MLA Govind Gaude, was also present at the Prerna Din function.

"For the first time in 15 years, all ST leaders have come together on one platform," said Tawadkar, addressing a gathering of tribals at the Prerna Din celebration in Quepem. "Following introspection, we have decided that for the progress of the bhumiputras to happen in the right direction, we must remain united, sinking our egos and forgetting our differences."

Tawadkar acknowledged that division among tribal leaders, which deepened after 2012, had stalled the community's development even as several welfare schemes were introduced under BJP govt.