Shri Cruz Silva, the elected Member of Legislative Assembly from Aam Aadmi Party for the Velim constituency, today reiterated his fervent demand for the long-pending political reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in the Goa Legislative Assembly, emphasizing its critical importance for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
MLA Silva underscored the historical injustice faced by the ST community in Goa. “For too long, our ST brothers and sisters, who were officially recognized in 2003 and comprise a significant portion of our population, have been denied their rightful share of representation in the Goa Assembly,” stated MLA Silva. “This fundamental democratic right, guaranteed by our Constitution, must be realized without any further delay.”
He highlighted the ongoing legislative process, specifically referring to the “Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024,” which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2024.
“While the introduction of this Bill is a step in the right direction, its swift passage through both houses of Parliament and subsequent implementation are absolutely crucial,” MLA Silva asserted. “We cannot afford any bureaucratic hurdles or delays that would prevent the ST community from having reserved seats in the 2027 elections.”
“As the representative of Velim, , I will continue to champion this cause at every forum. My commitment to ensuring fair and equitable representation for the ST community in Goa is unwavering, MLA Silva affirmed. “It is high time that the voices of our tribal communities are heard loud and clear in the legislative corridors of our state.”
MLA Silva vowed to work in close coordination with all stakeholders, including the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) and other community leaders, to ensure that the promise of ST reservation is fulfilled before the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.