Panaji: The Goa Forward Legislative Party led by Vijai Sardesai demanded reservation for Naik Bhandari Samaj within OBC and stated that if the BJP government fails to implement it then he will, after forming a new government. Sardesai was addressing a press conference along with MLAs Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinod Palyekar. He said that Quota within Quota concept is possible and they have legal opinion backing it. “Reservation is an affirmative action, and injustice should never be allowed to happen”, he said.
“We had demanded a discussion over this issue, which was rejected by the Chief Minister. He pointed out that within the OBC, which comprises of 18 castes, Naik Bhandari Samaj constitutes around 61 per cent. So when the 27 per cent reservation for OBC is divided among all, even though the majority is Naik Bhandari Samaj, they are not getting adequate representation or benefits”. Sardesai stated. He said that political will is lacking. “We will implement this quota once we form the government as we know how important it is to the Bhandari Samaj. They are deprived of promotions in government jobs and also missing out on reservation.” Vijai Sardesai said.
Replying to a question, Sardesai added that he is hopeful that BJP will consider the demand of Naik Bhandari Samaj since it calls itself Hindutva party.
Sardesai recalled that the Narendra Modi government has brought the 127th Amendment to the Constitution, which gives individual states the right to make their own list of OBCs. “There are two judgments of the Supreme Court which allow room to categorise Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes. Hence, we request the government to accept our concept and give justice to the Naik Bhandari Samaj. “If the government fails to respond, then the Bhandari Samaj will know what they have to do.” Sardesai said.
Recently, Goa Bhandari Samaj President Ashok Naik had called on Goa Forward MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar and had requested him to take up the issue of Quota within Quota.
MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar and MLA Vinod Palyekar also demanded that justice should be given to Naik Bhandari Samaj.
