MARGAO
As candidates, political parties and grassroots leaders brace for polling scheduled on Saturday, the big question dominating political discourse across Salcete and beyond is whether the Congress-Goa Forward alliance can finally halt the BJP juggernaut from securing yet another term at the South Goa Zilla Panchayat.
Equally compelling is whether the BJP-MGP combine, aided by Independents, can once again reach the magic figure of 13 seats required to form the Zilla Panchayat for the next five-year term.
Observers are also closely watching if a resurgent Congress could lose momentum midway due to a split in the non-BJP vote among multiple players contesting the same political space in Salcete and other parts of South Goa. Conversely, can the Congress overcome challenges from parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party and the Revolutionary Goans Party, besides Independents to reclaim its pre-eminent position in Salcete in particular and South Goa in general?
These questions echoed across the Salcete countryside on the eve of polling.
Unlike the previous five South Goa Zilla Panchayat elections, Saturday’s polls are shaping up to be among the most hotly contested, with candidates, political parties, and both present and aspiring leaders campaigning aggressively to assert dominance in their respective areas of influence.
Congress comeback in Salcete to decide party’s fate
The Congress and its alliance partner, the Goa Forward Party (GFP), can realistically hope to return to power at the South Goa Zilla Panchayat only if they successfully fend off challenges from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Independents, and other non-BJP players in Salcete.
Political observers point out that the Congress’s fortunes hinge heavily on its performance in Salcete, where as many as nine Zilla Panchayat seats are at stake. However, the party faces stiff competition from the AAP in at least six to seven seats, besides challenges from a couple of Independents.
Well-organised and having launched its campaign early, the AAP has left no stone unturned”not only to retain the Benaulim seat but also to make inroads into Velim, Colva, Nuvem, Navelim and Curtorim. The visit of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with party’s Goa desk in-charge Atishi Marlena, underscored the party’s determination to expand its footprint in Salcete and beyond.
Unlike the 2020 Zilla Panchayat polls, sources indicate a visible Congress surge this time, particularly in its traditional strongholds, with party leaders hopeful that campaign enthusiasm will translate into votes on polling day.
Cong-GFP alliance takes on BJP in Davorlim and Guirdolim
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao appeared to leave nothing to chance in Guirdolim, aiming to prevent the BJP from retaining the seat for a second consecutive term. This became apparent as the Opposition leader accepted the challenge thrown by Team BJP led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as the ruling party seemed not ready to concede Guirdolim seat to the Congress in the husting.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai extended strategic support to the Congress in Davorlim, where the BJP is striving for what would effectively be a hat-trick. After senior BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, attempted to woo Muslim voters by highlighting the Mhaje Ghar housing scheme, Sardesai sought to counter the move by leveraging his influence among Muslim and Scheduled Tribe voters”both of whom form a significant electoral bloc in the constituency in favour of Congress candidate Danny Fernandes.
On Friday, Sardesai cautioned minority Muslim voters against what he termed a BJP “trap”, alleging that the saffron party was shedding “crocodile tears”. Referring to the Rumdamol housing board issue, a long-standing communal flashpoint, Sardesai questioned the BJP government’s role in ensuring peace and curbing fringe elements allegedly involved in disrupting beef supply.
He further questioned why the Rumdamol panchayat, governed by Muslim panchas, is currently under an Administrator, blaming the BJP for failing to conduct elections for several months and creating political uncertainty.
