MARGAO
A fierce battle is underway between the ruling BJP and the Congress for supremacy in the Guirdolim and Davorlim Zilla Panchayat seats in minority-dominated Salcete.
The BJP had emerged victorious in both Guirdolim and Davorlim during the 2020 Zilla Panchayat elections, and the saffron party appears determined to retain its hold over the two seats. The Congress, meanwhile, has mounted a concerted effort to reclaim Guirdolim and Davorlim, as reflected in its aggressive campaign across both constituencies.
Leaving no stone unturned, the BJP’s campaign in Guirdolim and Davorlim is being spearheaded by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself. On the Congress side, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao is leading from the front along with Quepem MLA Alton D’Costa, in an attempt to wrest back Guirdolim, which falls within Yuri’s Cuncolim Assembly constituency.
While the Chief Minister has made his presence felt in both constituencies, the Opposition leader has been shuttling between Guirdolim and Davorlim to rally support for Congress candidates.
In a bid to consolidate its position in Davorlim, the BJP has also roped in PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, banking on his goodwill within the Muslim community, which constitutes a significant section of the electorate. The party hopes this outreach will help swing support in favour of its candidate, Satyavijay Naik.
To counter the BJP’s push in Muslim-dominated pockets of the constituency, particularly the Rumdamol Housing Board area, Congress candidate Danny Fernandes is believed to have sought the support of alliance partner Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai, aiming to leverage his influence within the community.
