PANAJI
With the withdrawal of 94 nomination papers on Thursday and the State Election Commission (SEC) confirming that 226 candidates remain in the fray for 25 seats apiece in the North and South Goa district level bodies, the stage is set for a high stakes contest in the December 20 Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections.
The ZP elections, the only polls apart from the Assembly fought directly on party lines in Goa, are being viewed as a crucial precursor to the 2027 Assembly elections.
Political analysts say the outcome will serve as an early indicator of grassroots sentiment and could shape strategies for the year long run up to the State’s biggest electoral battle -- 2027 assembly elections.
The electoral fight is expected to be largely four cornered. On one side stands the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). On the other, three Opposition formations are in the fray -- the Congress Goa Forward Party (GFP) alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP).
According to the final list of candidates, 111 will contest the 25 seats in North Goa, while 115 will vie for the 25 seats in South Goa.
The BJP has fielded 40 candidates, leaving three seats to the MGP in their combine, and have announced that they will support suitable independents in the remaining seven constituencies.
On the Opposition side, the AAP has put up 42 candidates, the highest number among all parties. The Congress GFP combine has fielded 36 and nine candidates respectively, while the RGP has nominated 26.
The ZP polls are often seen as a test of organizational strength and rural reach. For the BJP MGP alliance, a strong showing would reinforce its dominance and provide momentum heading into 2027.
The saffron party has consistently leveraged its grassroots machinery to consolidate support, and the ZP polls offer another opportunity to demonstrate its electoral muscle.
For the Opposition, the stakes are arguably higher. The Congress GFP alliance, stitched at the eleventh hour, is seeking to regain lost ground and prove its relevance in Goa’s fragmented political landscape.
The AAP, which has steadily expanded its presence in the State, is banking on its large slate of candidates to translate into significant gains.
Meanwhile, the RGP, a relatively new entrant, is aiming to consolidate its aggressive identity politics appeal among local voters and youth.
The multi cornered nature of the contest could lead to fractured verdicts in several constituencies. This dynamic may benefit the ruling alliance, which has historically capitalized on a split Opposition.
However, the sheer number of candidates fielded by the AAP suggests it is positioning itself to be a serious challenger, potentially reshaping Goa’s political equations.
The ZP elections also carry symbolic weight. Unlike municipal or panchayat polls where parties cannot directly field candidates, the ZP contests are fought openly on party lines. This makes them a critical barometer of public sentiment and a rehearsal for the Assembly elections.
With campaigning set to intensify in the coming days, all eyes are on December 20, the polling day and on December 22 when counting will be taken up as per the SEC notified schedule. The results will not only decide control of Goa’s two district level bodies but also provide the first clear signals of how the political winds are blowing ahead of 2027.
