Dattaram Desai

Dattaram Deu Naique Desai (11 September 1930 – unknown) was an Indian politician, underground worker and freedom fighter. He was a former member of the Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly, representing the Quepem Assembly constituency from 1963 to 1967. He was also a member of the Azad Gomantak Dal.

Early life and education
Dattaram Deu Desai was born to Deu B. Desai in Cuncolim, Goa. He completed his Secondary School Certificate.

Career
Desai contested in the 1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the Quepem Assembly constituency on the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) ticket and emerged victorious, he served for five years from 1963 to 1967.

He later quit the party prior to the elections and unsuccessfully contested as an Independent candidate in the 1967 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the same constituency, he lost to MGP candidate, Shaba Desai by a margin of 2887 votes. This marked Desai's last election participation in his political career.

Role in Goa's freedom struggle (1954–1958)
In 1954, Desai became a member of the Azad Gomantak Dal and worked as an underground member. In 1955, he and his associates launched an attack on the Cuncolim police station, seizing all of the weapons and ammunition stored in the armoury. Although he faced the risk of getting caught, Desai managed to evade arrest on 30 June 1956. In July 1958, Desai took part in the Daman Union Territory attacks. He also accompanied the Indian Army battalion from Majali, Karnataka to Margao city during the liberation of Goa.

Awards
Desai was awarded the Tamrapatra by the Government of India in 1973.

Legacy
On 18 January 2014, the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) named the Sanvorcotto road in Desai's honor, followed by five other freedom fighters.

Positions held

 * Member of Block Advisory Committee of the Community Development Blocks, 1964