There is no denying the fact that the BJP has scored a convincing 6-1 victory in the first phase of municipal elections, including the CCP poll. The BJP walked away with honours, but it can't imply the result to be a mandate for projects that are currently facing public ire. The municipal elections per se are billed as a semi-final to the bigger assembly contest only because, in some cases, it could be used as a barometer by respective leaders to gauge their standing. The government can't use the municipal election result to leverage its position on State issues.
While BJP basks in glory, there are lessons to be learnt for parties going into an intense second phase. The Congress may have salvaged its pride in Cuncolim, thanks to the Alemaos, but the bitter acrimony within party ranks continues to show even at an inconsequential election like the Navelim Zilla Panchayat bypoll. The integrity of party loyalists appears suspicious when there is a failure in a traditional party bastion.
The crucial connect with the electorate made all the difference in Navelim and Cuncolim. Independent candidate Cipru Cardozo got the better of Congress, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party to wrest the Navelim Zilla seat for the third successive time, and that speaks volumes of his outreach. In Cuncolim, the Congress-led by veteran Joaquim Alemao and his son Yuri managed to thwart every effort by the BJP including the involvement of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and former MP Narendra Sawaikar.
The results for the Congress in Navelim and Cuncolim are in contrast, but both are classic examples of how a ground-connect with the electorate helped.
The Zilla contest may be insignificant politically since the BJP has already stamped its authority over the local body winning both North and South. But there was a battle at hand since Congress was playing for pride and AAP wanted to test the waters. In fact, it was the spirited fight by AAP's candidate Matilda D'Silva that should be an eye-opener for all. A newcomer in big-stage politics, she garnered 2428 votes and came close to overtaking the Congress candidate in a high-pitched battle. AAP will see victory in this defeat and the inroads it made here will bolster the party morale ahead of the Assembly elections. The electorate script built around money and muscle power with fiery criticism of opponents stands demolished with AAP's humble yet monumental beginning in Navelim.
The second phase of the municipal elections is where the collective strength of the opposition will be tested. Lessons will have to be learnt quickly and strategies reworked. Political players need to reconcile with the fact that assembly elections are a different ball game. Candidates of all hues will face scrutiny and that is where the mandate will find a definite meaning.
