MARGAO
The fight for supremacy in the Guirdolim Zilla Panchayat seat has turned into a battle royal between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP campaign, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, and former Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, is leaving nothing to chance in its bid to retain the seat.
The Guirdolim ZP election has become a prestige issue, as the constituency falls within the Cuncolim Assembly segment represented by Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao. Alemao is acutely aware that he cannot afford to lose Guirdolim in the Congress’ broader political strategy.
With the seat reserved for an ST candidate, the focus has shifted to Balli village, a traditional BJP stronghold. Both the BJP and the Congress have fielded candidates from Balli. While the BJP has nominated former Balli Sarpanch Gokuldas Gaonkar, Yuri Alemao surprised many by fielding Sanjay Velip—the husband of BJP’s sitting Guirdolim ZP member and former South Goa ZP Chairperson Sanjana Velip.
Sources reveal that Alemao had the option of fielding ST candidates from other parts of the constituency but chose a candidate from Balli to tap into the village’s vote base.
However, the Congress—and Alemao in particular—will have to contend with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) factor. With AAP fielding Joseph Piexoto from Guirdolim village proper, political circles are abuzz with questions over how the Congress will manage the AAP challenge, especially in the minority-dominated villages of Chandor and Guirdolim.
Notably, the Congress had lost the Guirdolim seat to the BJP in the 2020 ZP elections after AAP polled a significant number of votes.
Candidates in Guirdolim
*Gokuldas Gaonkar (BJP)
*Joseph Peixoto (AAP)
*Mahesh Velip (IND)
*Sanjay Velip (Cong)
