PANAJI
With the ruling BJP“MGP alliance securing a comfortable majority in the Zilla Panchayat elections, as many as 11 women elected on the alliance ticket have emerged as strong contenders for top leadership positions in North and South Goa ZPs. The saffron party is expected to make an announcement on the panels in the New Year.
In North Goa, five women members ” four from the BJP and one from the MGP ” are in the fray for the post of Zilla Panchayat Adhyaksha (Chairperson) -- Tara Hadfadkar of MGP (Morjim) and BJP’s Franzilia Rodrigues (Calangute), Reshma Bandodkar (Reis Magos), Gauri Kamat (Chimbel) and Kunda Mandrekar (Mayem).
Among them, the newly elected members from Reis Magos and Mayem are being widely seen as strong contenders, given their decisive victories. At both places, the candidates have won by a margin of over 3,400 votes.
Sources said the BJP leadership is weighing factors such as winnability, organisational work and caste“regional balance before finalising its nominee for the North Goa ZP top post.
In South Goa, six women members ” five from the BJP and one from the MGP ” are eyeing the post of Zilla Panchayat Upaadhyaksha (Vice-Chairperson). BJP’s Sameksha Naik (Usgao-Ganje), Poonam Samant (Boriem), Gauri Shirodkar (Shiroda), Rajeshree Gaonkar (Rivona) and Anjali Velip (Barcem), while MGP’s Aditi Gaude won from Veling-Priol.
While Usgao-Pale ZP member Sameksha Naik of the BJP is being viewed as a strong contender to please the Rane couple, alliance dynamics could play a crucial role in the final decision.
Sources indicated that the BJP may consider accommodating its ally by backing MGP’s Aditi Gauade for the South Goa Upaadhyaksha post, in keeping with seat-sharing and power-sharing understandings within the ruling alliance.
When contacted, BJP President Damodar Naik told The Goan that the announcement will be made in the New Year. “We still have time till January 7, when the term of the existing ZP ends. Our consultation will start next week and the announcement will be made in the New Year,” he said.
Responding to the question, Naik said that the party will give due preference to its alliance partner.
Sources said that the final call on both posts is expected to be taken after consultations with senior party leaders, with an emphasis on alliance balance and smooth functioning of the Zilla Panchayats.
