Counting to reveal whether high turnout favoured status quo or alternatives
MAPUSA
With polling over and an uptick in voter turnout across Bardez and North Goa, political parties are now reading the numbers through their own lenses, each hoping the increased participation will tilt the pendulum in its favour when results are declared on Monday.
The BJP appears the most upbeat, confident of replicating – and even improving upon – its performance in the last Zilla Panchayat elections. BJP North Goa district president Dayanand Karbotkar claimed the party is poised to dominate Bardez, predicting victories in eight of the nine seats, with Aldona being the only constituency where the party sees a close contest.
The BJP believes its early start to campaigning, strong organisational network and the aggressive involvement of MLAs, ministers and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have consolidated its position. The party is eyeing as many as 21 of the 25 ZP seats in North Goa.
In contrast, the Congress–Goa Forward Party alliance has struck a more cautious note. While Congress leaders expect an improvement over their previous tally, they admit that the late stitching of the alliance and delayed ticket distribution hurt campaign momentum and demoralised grassroots workers.
Congress general secretary Vijay Bhike said alliances must be planned well in advance, arguing that last-minute arrangements blunt electoral impact. Even so, the Congress hopes to bag at least four seats in Bardez, expressing optimism about Aldona, Anjuna, Calangute and Colvale (Independent).
The Aam Aadmi Party, which mounted a high-voltage campaign in pockets of North Goa and even brought national convener Arvind Kejriwal to Anjuna, is also hoping to improve on its earlier showing, though its actual influence will be clearer only after counting.
The Revolutionary Goans Party, contesting on its own after failing to stitch alliances with Congress or GFP, views this election as a litmus test following its Lok Sabha setback.
RGP North Goa district chief Gauresh Mandrekar said the party received a positive response on the ground, adding that silent voters could emerge as key swing factors. He expressed confidence in Siolim and predicted victories in St Lourenco and St Cruz, riding on MLA Viresh Borkar’s influence.
With turnout higher than last time, the central question remains whether voter enthusiasm reinforces the BJP’s organisational strength or signals a desire for alternatives. As the pendulum hangs in balance, all eyes are now on the counting table.
