The BJP wants UTAA to not be anti-Govt; but is that possible?

The United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) has announced a mega public rally called "Chalo Panaji" on August 13, in Panaji at the Azad Maidan. 

The alliance is holding local awareness campaigns and public outreach programs across tribal constituencies in Goa ahead of the August 13 protest.

The BJP led government is cautiously watching the developments as a massive turnout of ST community with less than 6 months remaining for the assembly election may turn out to be yet another headache for the government. 

UTAA wants immediate enforcement and implementation of political reservations for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Legislative Assembly.

The association feels while the reservation law was notified a year ago, the central government has delayed bringing it into actual force. 

Sources in the association told Prudent that the government has already opened back channels with the leaders spearheading the movement. 

"The government is insisting that the public meeting should not come across as anti-government. As most of the leaders in UTAA are BJP leaders, the party also expects restraint. But it is a tight rope walk for us," a senior leader told Prudent on the condition of anonymity. 

Although the leadership of UTAA rests with sitting BJP MLAs like Ganesh Gaonkar, Ramesh Tawadkar and Govind Gaude, there are forces consistently seen on UTAA platforms who are not considered 'friendly' by the BJP. 

"What about others? Many of them have been vociferous against the government in various public agitations. How can we tell them to tone down on such an important issue on such a momentous day?," asked another senior leader when questioned about the 'expectation' from the government. 

Sources close to the CMO told Prudent that the government intends to make some announcement either a day prior or on the day of the UTAA public meeting to pacify the ST community. 

"The question is will CM get the clearance from the centre to make such an announcement? The CM wants to do it but there is no green light from the top as of now," the source told Prudent.