MAPUSA
In their first attempt at parliamentary elections, the nascent regional force, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), struggled to make a significant impact in Bardez.
Despite this, there were a few noteworthy takeaways for the party.
During the 2022 assembly elections, RGP did not field candidates in Aldona and Porvorim. However, in the recent parliamentary elections, RGP President Manoj Parab, who stood as the party’s candidate for North Goa, managed to secure 1,472 votes in Aldona and 834 votes in Porvorim.
While these numbers are modest for a parliamentary election, they provide insight into the party’s emerging presence in these constituencies.
Parab received 3,585 votes in Siolim constituency, maintaining a similar performance to the assembly elections, where the party’s candidate had garnered 3,188 votes.
This consistency suggests that RGP has established a solid foothold in Siolim. Interestingly, in Tivim, where Parab had polled over 5,000 votes in the assembly election, he managed only 3,261 votes in the Lok Sabha polls.
This decline might not indicate a loss of popularity but rather a strategic shift by voters favouring the two major national parties in parliamentary elections.
In Calangute, Mapusa, and Saligao, RGP’s vote count remained relatively stable compared to the assembly elections.
Overall, RGP collected 13,809 votes across the seven constituencies in Bardez, a slight increase from the 13,452 votes it secured in just five constituencies during the assembly elections.
Although RGP’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections did not deliver significant results, the party’s ability to maintain and slightly increase its vote share indicates a growing presence in Bardez.
The notable point of securing 1,472 votes in Aldona, a constituency where it had not contested previously, reflects the party’s potential for growth.
As the Revolutionary Goans Party continues to navigate the political landscape, these results offer both a reality check and a foundation upon which to build future strategies. The party’s challenge will be to expand its influence beyond its current strongholds and convert its nascent support into substantial electoral gains.
