VICTORY MOMENT: Victorious BJP–MGP alliance candidates celebrate with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP leaders at the party office in Panaji on Monday.
PANAJI
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) scored a decisive victory in the Goa Zilla Panchayat elections held on Monday, winning 32 of the 50 seats (BJP won 29 and MGP won three).
On the Opposition side, the Congress managed to score a mini resurgence of sorts more than doubling their 2020 tally and securing ten seats. It's ally Goa Forward Party managed to win one seat.
For the two other players in the Opposition -- Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- the results were disappointing.
While RGP won two seats, both linked to their lone MLA, Viresh Borkar's St Andre assembly seat -- Santa Cruz and St Lawrence -- the AAP managed to win only Colva which is linked to its MLA Venzy Viegas' assembly seat of Benaulim.
Independents also had a fair showing. Sunil Jalmi won from Betqui–Candola, Kavita Kandolkar wife of former MLA, Kiran Kandolkar won from Colvale, Merciana Vas the wife of Independent Cortalim MLA Anton Vas from Cortalim and Radhika Palyekar from Arambol.
The elections, conducted across all 50 constituencies using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines, had witnessed a record 70.81 per cent voter turnout, the highest since ZP polls began in 2005.
The counting process through the day from 8 am till the last result of Torxem came in at 10 pm, was painstakingly slow yet exciting, perhaps because unlike assembly or parliamentary polls, these elections were conducted using ballot papers.
By mid-morning, trends started emerging from several constituencies, with the BJP-MGP alliance establishing early leads in several constituencies.
The Congress showed strength in pockets while independents surprised observers in Arambol and Betki-Candola. The manual counting process required multiple rounds, with each bundle of ballots scrutinised before results were declared. Election officials reported smooth proceedings, with no major disputes or disruptions, and party representatives acknowledged the fairness of the process.
Strongholds and
constituency wins
The BJP registered key victories in Siolim, Anjuna, Calangute, Reis Magos, Taleigao, Karapur-Sarvan, Curti, Sanvordem, Sancoale, Usgao-Ganjem, Nagargo, Pale, Dharbandora and Xeldem, consolidating its hold across both districts.
Congress showed pockets of resilience managing wins in Aldona and Sirsaim in the North and reclaiming a decisive hold on its former stronghold of Salcete by winning the Davorlim, Guirdolim, Nuvem, Curtorim. Benaulim, Navelim and Velim seats. Additionally it also won the Cola seat in Quepem.
Independents also made their presence felt, with notable wins including Arambol, where local candidate Radhika Palyekar triumphed.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant hailed the outcome as a “mandate for development and stability,” crediting party workers for their grassroots connect.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to describe the verdict as a “clear endorsement of good governance and progressive politics,” even as he thanked Goans for their support.
The Congress, though securing ten seats, admitted the need to strengthen its rural outreach. Party leaders acknowledged that independents and regional parties had cut into their traditional vote base, leaving them with a diminished political stature.
The State Election Commission meanwhile, noted the peaceful conduct of polls across 1,284 booths while analysts said the figures reflect growing public engagement in grassroots politics.
The sweeping victory for the BJP-MGP alliance strengthens the ruling party’s hold over Goa’s rural politics.
With control over both North and South Goa Zilla Panchayats, the alliance is well-positioned to influence local governance and development priorities.
Political observers believe the results will bolster the BJP’s prospects in the nex assembly elections due in early 2027.
Zilla Panchayat elections, the only one other than the Assembly elections to be conducted on party lines, serves as a testing ground for party strength at the grassroots.
For the Congress, GFP, RGP and AAP, the outcome is a wake-up call to regroup and recalibrate strategies and alliances.
Monday's ZP election results are expected to shape political strategies and alliances leading into the next assembly polls.
For now, the BJP will celebrate its resounding victory, while opposition parties face the challenge of rebuilding their presence in the State’s perennially dynamic political landscape.
