Dec 20 polls to decide whether party’s welfare pitch can withstand Congress’ organisational push
Aam Aadmi Party’s mega public meeting at Betalbatim, addressed by its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, to rally support for party candidates in Benaulim and Colva.
MARGAO
Exactly two years ago, in July 2023, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opened its first “Good Health” clinic in Goa at Benaulim, the constituency represented by party MLA Venzy Viegas.
Modelled on the AAP government’s Mohalla Clinic initiative in Delhi and Punjab, the facility marked the party’s first major governance intervention in the State.
The initiative was subsequently extended to neighbouring Velim, represented by AAP MLA Cruz Silva. Since then, the health clinics have become central to the party’s governance model in Goa, with AAP systematically organising health camps across constituencies in Salcete and beyond.
With the Zilla Panchayat elections scheduled for December 20—just three days away—the Aam Aadmi Party now faces a crucial test of this governance model. The acid test will play out particularly in the ZP constituencies of Benaulim, Colva, Velim and Curtorim, which fall within the Assembly segments of Benaulim and Velim, represented by the party’s two MLAs.
Five years after opening its electoral account in Benaulim during the 2020 Zilla Panchayat elections, AAP is under pressure not only to retain Benaulim but also to make inroads into Colva, Velim and Curtorim.
In all four constituencies, the party is confronting a strong challenge from the Congress, which, as the principal opposition party, appears determined to checkmate the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP following its breakthrough victories in Velim and Benaulim in the 2022 Assembly elections.
Political observers say the outcome of the Zilla Panchayat polls could significantly reshape the political landscape of Salcete and Goa. A victory for AAP over Congress would firmly establish the party as a major political force in the State.
Intense battle for Benaulim and Colva
A no-holds-barred political battle is underway along Salcete’s coastal belt, stretching from Cavelossim to Majorda, home to the two Zilla Panchayat constituencies of Benaulim and Colva. The reason is clear: the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, is going all out to retain the Benaulim ZP seat in the upcoming polls.
However, Viegas faces his toughest political challenge yet—not from his traditional rivals, the Alemao family, but from a resurgent Congress party, which appears to be working systematically to reclaim its former stronghold.
On paper, the odds favour the AAP. The party won the Benaulim ZP seat in the 2020 elections and successfully retained it in the 2024 by-poll. Yet, the party’s sitting ZP member, Joseph Pimenta, is facing stiff competition from Congress and other contenders.
Congress candidate Luiza Rodrigues has covered significant ground over the past two months, mounting an aggressive campaign aimed at taking the fight directly into AAP territory. Adding complexity to the contest is Maria Rebello, a former three-time Benaulim ZP member contesting as an independent, along with Grayfann Fernandes.
In the run-up to the polls, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal crisscrossed the Benaulim and Colva constituencies to mobilise voters. Goa in-charge Atishi Marlena has also been virtually camping in the area to oversee and fine-tune the party’s campaign strategy.
On the Congress side, senior leaders, including Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, AICC secretary Anjali Nimbalkar, and GPCC chief Amit Patkar, have lent strength to Luiza Rodrigues’ campaign in Benaulim.
In Colva, AAP has fielded former Colva sarpanch Anthony Fernandes against Congress candidate Venicia Carvalho, former ZP chairperson Nelly Rodrigues, NCP’s Domingos Fernandes, and RGP candidate Anthony Roberts.
Can AAP checkmate Congress in Velim and Curtorim?
Amid a broader setback in the 2020 Zilla Panchayat elections, the Congress flag flew high in both Velim and Curtorim. Much water has flowed down the River Sal since then, with the Aam Aadmi Party steadily emerging as a major political force—especially after the victory of AAP candidate Cruz Silva in the 2022 Assembly elections.
Like Benaulim, Velim presents an acid test for the AAP’s popularity, as the party faces voters for the first time since its 2022 Assembly triumph.
In Velim, the Congress has fielded sitting ZP member Julio Fernandes, while AAP has nominated Isaca Fernandes, the Assolna sarpanch, in an attempt to wrest the seat. Other strong contenders include Revolutionary Goans Party leader Dagley Fernandes and independents Frank Viegas (Chinchinim sarpanch), John Fernandes, and Cruz Pinto.
Political observers note that AAP has worked systematically over the past three years to strengthen its presence in Velim, Curtorim, and São José de Areal villages, the latter two falling within the Curtorim ZP constituency.
In Curtorim, AAP has fielded Joseph Cardozo against the Congress candidate Astra D’Silva, who is attempting to retain the seat for the party. Independents Edison Cardozo, Satish Dinker, and Vivek Naik are also in the fray.
With Curtorim represented by Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, political observers are keenly watching the evolving contest between the Congress and AAP for supremacy in what has traditionally been a Congress bastion.
