PANAJI
Eleven municipalities in Goa are expected to go to the polls in April next year, in what is being seen as a crucial test of the popularity of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following its victory in the recently concluded Zilla Panchayat elections.
At the same time, elections to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) are scheduled to be held in March, while the by-election to the Ponda Assembly constituency”necessitated by the demise of former minister Ravi Naik”is also likely to be conducted alongside the municipal polls.
Sources in the State Election Commission said that the term of the existing municipal councils will end in April, while the CCP’s tenure concludes in March. Except for the Ponda and Sanquelim municipal councils, elections will be held in all remaining municipalities.
In North Goa, polls are due in Bicholim, Pernem, Valpoi and Mapusa, while in South Goa, Margao, Mormugao, Sanguem, Quepem, Curchorem-Cacora, Cuncolim and Canacona will go to the polls.
Although municipal elections in Goa are officially held on a non-party basis, both ruling and Opposition parties are expected to back panels of candidates, making the contests politically significant.
The outcome of these elections is expected to be closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment towards the BJP-led government, which will be just under a year away from completing its term at the time of the polls.
