Eight candidates withdraw their nomination
PANAJI
The battle lines for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections are finally drawn with eight candidates withdrawing from the fray leaving 69 contenders to fight it out across 30 wards on March 11.
The withdrawal of eight candidates on Thursday has sharpened the contest and in 23 of the 30 wards, there will be straight head‑to‑head battles.
The remaining seven wards are multi‑cornered, with Ward 26 standing out as the most crowded as there are five hopefuls in the fray.
Though the CCP polls are not fought on party symbols, politics looms large. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has thrown its weight behind Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, who has floated a full panel of 30 candidates.
Opposing him is the ‘Ami Panjekar’ group, backed by Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Utpal Parrikar.
Both camps have matched each other ward for ward, ensuring a city‑wide showdown.
The eight who stepped aside include Lina Jay (Ward 1), Po Jane (Ward 8), Rahul Yadalli (Ward 11), Po John (Ward 15), Pratibha Dhage Borkar (Ward 16), Jordan Faleiro (Ward 17), Uday Chari (Ward 18), and Adam Khan (Ward 24).
Their exit has transformed several wards from three‑cornered contests into straight fights, tightening the race.
Reserved wards add another layer of intrigue. Seats for ST Women, OBC Women, OBC, and Women ensure diverse representation. Women candidates are pitted directly against each other in multiple wards, underscoring the role of gender in this civic battle.
Observers say the outcome could hinge on the handful of wards with three or more candidates, where vote‑splitting can have a bearing on who wins. In contrast, straight fights are expected to deliver clearer verdicts, though margins could be razor‑thin.
The CCP controls Panaji’s civic administration, from roads and drains to markets and development projects. With both panels fielding complete slates, the stakes are high. Each ward carries weight in determining who will dominate the corporation.
Campaigning is expected to pick up in the coming days with candidates hitting the streets, knocking on doors, and sharpening their pitch.
The capital is bracing for a contest that promises intensity ward by ward, with polling slated on March 11 and the verdict set to be known two days later when counting is taken up on March 13.
