BJP enters contest in taluka with a distinct upper hand over others
MAPUSA
With the process of the Zilla Panchayat elections set in motion, political equations in Bardez – the taluka with the highest number of ZP constituencies in North Goa – are undergoing subtle but significant shifts.
Out of the nine ZP seats in Bardez, four have been reserved this time – three for women and one for the OBC category.
While this reservation pattern may not drastically alter the overall strategies of major political parties, it has certainly caused unease among several aspiring candidates whose electoral ambitions have been curtailed by the reshuffle.
BJP looks to consolidate
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enters the Bardez contest with a distinct upper hand.
In the 2020 ZP elections, the party had swept eight of the nine seats, leaving only the Colvale seat for Independent candidate Kavita Kandolkar.
With a strong organisational network, disciplined cadre and the advantage of being in power, the BJP’s internal candidate selection process is expected to be smooth.
Party insiders say consultations are already underway between local MLAs and party functionaries, with an emphasis on fielding loyal karyakartas.
“The process of finalising names is nearly complete, and the list will be announced soon. All candidates will be chosen from among the grassroots workers,” a BJP functionary confirmed.
However, the reservation of two politically sensitive constituencies – Calangute (Women) and Anjuna (OBC) – may bring a twist to the BJP’s calculations.
Both these constituencies fall under the influence of the Lobo couple, and with one of them now restricted by category, local power dynamics could witness some adjustments.
Congress banks on alliance hopes
The Congress, despite organisational fatigue, is attempting to revive its presence in Bardez.
Party leaders admit to being in the process of finalising names in several constituencies, with two to three shortlisted candidates in most.
Although the Congress machinery appears sluggish compared to the BJP’s, a potential pre-poll alliance with smaller opposition parties has brought a fresh sense of optimism.
“We are ready with our list of candidates and waiting for clearance from the state leadership. There is also talk of a larger understanding among opposition parties,” a senior Congress leader from Calangute said.
One of the key strategic moves for Congress may come from Colvale, where Kavita Kandolkar – the lone non-BJP winner from 2020 – will again contest as an Independent candidate. The seat has now been reserved for women, which suits her candidature, and Congress is expected to support her. In return, former MLA Kiran Kandolkar is likely to back the Congress candidate in Aldona, signalling the possibility of a tacit local alliance.
AAP and RGP face candidate crunch
While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has begun outreach efforts in Bardez, insiders admit that finding credible local candidates remains a challenge.
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) too faces similar constraints, with limited pockets of influence and only a few constituencies where it can mount a serious challenge.
Despite their energetic grassroots campaigns in other parts of Goa, both AAP and RGP appear to lack the organisational depth in Bardez that could translate into electoral traction.
GFP eyes limited gains
The Goa Forward Party (GFP), which has a modest presence in Bardez, is expected to focus its attention on Anjuna and Siolim.
However, given the BJP’s strong showing in the last election and the Congress’ efforts to regroup, GFP’s performance is expected to remain marginal.
Reservation: A subtle game-changer
The reservation matrix in Bardez has created localised ripples more than a political storm.
While major parties continue to retain their strategic focus, the individual ambitions of several aspirants – particularly those whose traditional seats have been reserved – have been disrupted.
The double reservation impact in the Lobo stronghold of Calangute (Women) and Anjuna (OBC) could influence local alignments, particularly if prominent local figures are unable to contest directly.
In contrast, the Colvale seat’s reservation for women has proved advantageous to Kavita Kandolkar, potentially turning her into a focal point of the Congress’ micro-strategy in Bardez.
Beyond reservation
As things stand, the BJP appears poised to retain its dominance in Bardez, buoyed by its strong organisational base, unity among MLAs and the inertia of incumbency advantage.
The Congress’ best bet lies in forging alliances with smaller parties and Independents to chip away at the BJP’s lead.
However, without a clear and united opposition front, Bardez could once again remain a saffron bastion, with the reservation reshuffle affecting individuals more than the overall political landscape.
