Panaji, Jun 8 (IANS): Criticising the trend of BJP leaders taking a meal at the homes of tribal families, former Goa Chief Minister Ravi Naik on Wednesday urged them to offer their sons and daughters in marriage to members of Dalit and tribal families.

Naik also told the media that most homes of tribal families had tables and chairs and to sit on the floor for a meal, like several BJP MPs and MLAs did over the last one week, was nothing but a gimmick.

"I feel they should get their educated sons and daughters married to educated sons and daughters of (tribal families). Then they can eat ST cuisine throughout their lives... If they do this I will salute all BJP leaders," Naik told reporters.

Naik's comments came a few days after Union Minister of State for Home Subhash Bhamre had lunch at a tribal family's home here.

The move is a part of the BJP's plan nationwide to reach out to members of the marginalised sections of the society including those belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.

Naik said the economic status of tribals in Goa had improved considerably and added that most of them had tables and chairs in their homes.

"Why are they (BJP leaders) sitting on the floor? They (BJP leaders) have ST, OBC people to cook food at their homes. They eat food cooked by them every day. Why are they doing this? What kind of a gimmick is this?" Naik asked.