‘Real bodol’ in Benaulim now, says Cong after trouncing AAP

Congress workers from Benaulim seeking a bodol (change) in Benaulim after the emphatic victory in the ZP polls.

MARGAO
When the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opened its electoral account in Benaulim in the 2020 Zilla Panchayat (ZP) polls, party leaders had thundered that the victory would bring “bodol” (change) in Benaulim in the 2022 Assembly elections.
Five years later, the Congress has wrested Benaulim from the AAP, with party leaders saying the “real bodol” in Benaulim will start right from today, claiming that the result has sent a loud and clear message that the Congress is poised for a comeback in the constituency after a gap of over two decades.
Congress workers erupted in jubilation at the counting centre as soon as confirmation came that Congress candidate Luiza Rodrigues had defeated sitting AAP ZP member Joseph Pimenta.
Benaulim Congress block leader Solan Furtado described Luiza’s victory as a victory for the people of Benaulim, asserting that the verdict was a rejection of AAP MLA Venzy Viegas and his style of politics.
“The message is clear. AAP has won only one seat, the Colva seat, and that too by a margin of just 73 votes, which is not significant at all. Congress is back in Benaulim,” he said.
Former Varca sarpanch Roland Fernandes echoed similar sentiments, stating that all panchayat members had rallied behind Luiza, and expressed confidence that Congress would go on to win the Benaulim Assembly seat in 2027.
Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz, who had backed Luiza during the campaign, said her victory would usher in real “bodol” in Benaulim.
“For over 25 years, Benaulim has not had a Congress MLA, forcing people to approach other politicians with their grievances. Luiza was the right choice — not just because of her work, but also because she hails from a philanthropic family,” he said.
Emphasising the need for MLAs to take sarpanchas and panchas into confidence, Dixon remarked, “This is not happening in Benaulim today. Arrogance is no good in politics—it leads to downfall. The real ‘bodol’ has arrived.” He expressed confidence that Benaulim would elect a Congress MLA in 2027.
AAP-turned-Congress leader Paul Lobo said the real “bodol” in Benaulim would begin from today itself.
Another former AAP sympathiser who joined the Congress, Saturnino Rodrigues, said Luiza had not only defeated the sitting AAP MLA and ZP member, but also stood her ground against former AAP chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi Marlena, who had campaigned against the Congress in Benaulim.
Benaulim Congress block president Keith Gracia said the party would now begin preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, buoyed by Luiza’s victory in the ZP polls.
Speaking after her win, Luiza Rodrigues said the verdict was a clear signal that the people of Benaulim no longer needed AAP and would instead place their faith in the Congress.
Attributing the victory to teamwork, she said the contest was tough, with rivals including sitting AAP member Joseph Pimenta and former ZP member Maria Rebello. However, the support of the people and the hard work put in by party workers and leaders ensured her victory, she added.