MARGAO
Can Goa Forward end the Gaunkar family’s two-decade hold on the Raia Zilla Panchayat?
The upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections pose a significant political test in Raia, where the influential Gaunkar family has dominated local politics for over two decades. The key question is whether the Goa Forward Party (GFP) can break this long-standing hold and advance its expansion plans in Salcete.
As many as six candidates remain in the fray for the Raia ZP seat. These include Fatima Gaunkar, wife of sitting ZP member Dominic Gaunkar; Goa Forward’s candidate Inacinha Pinto; Revolutionary Goans Party’s Antonetta Fernandes; Aam Aadmi Party’s Jeromina Colaco; and two Independents ” Joana Fernandes and Sarika Gaonkar.
With the exception of RGP’s Antonetta Fernandes and Independent candidate Joana Fernandes, all contenders hail from Raia village. This raises the strong possibility of a split in the Raia vote among the four major local candidates. The Raia ZP constituency comprises the villages of Raia, Rachol, Camurlim and Loutolim, making cross-village appeal a crucial factor.
The Goa Forward Party is contesting the Raia seat after its alliance partner, the Congress, agreed to leave the seat for the regional party. While GFP began its campaign well before the alliance was formalised, it now faces the challenge of ensuring that the traditional Congress vote transfers smoothly to its candidate, Inacinha Pinto ” an outcome that is far from guaranteed.
Independent candidate Fatima Gaunkar is no stranger to Zilla Panchayat politics, having earlier been elected to the South Goa ZP from Raia. However, she faces the uphill task of countering anti-incumbency sentiment, as her family has represented the area continuously for the past 20 years.
Meanwhile, sources said that Independent candidate and former Loutolim sarpanch Joana Fernandes is believed to have made significant inroads not only in Loutolim but also in neighbouring Camurlim and Rachol, emerging as a strong contender who could further fragment the vote.
With multiple candidates, overlapping vote banks and shifting alliances, the Raia ZP contest promises to be one of the most keenly watched battles in Salcete, potentially redefining the region’s political landscape.
