All sarpanch in Goa must contest the state assembly election in every constituency as a new form of election, like a people’s lottery election. Being a good and popular sarpanch, a local-level position, could lead to a place in the legislative assembly in the state-level legislature. Any qualified Indian citizen, including a sitting or former sarpanch, has the right to contest an assembly election for better transformations.
According to the India Code, if a member of a panchayat (such as a sarpanch) is elected to a state legislative assembly, they must resign their panchayat seat within 15 days of the new term beginning, or their panchayat seat will become vacant to replace the new sarpanch. Even if defeated, sarpanchship is restored. An assembly constituency consists of many villages, out of which one sarpanch could become MLA. This will be a new political trend in the future.
Contesting an assembly election is a personal and voluntary decision for any sarpanch. They may contest as candidates for a political party or as independents. For an elected MLA, the panchayat election and his experience as a sarpanch could be a vital factor in his political career.
Political parties and individual candidates often treat local elections, such as for the Zilla Panchayat, as preparation for future assembly elections. This provides a platform for former or current sarpanch to showcase their political strengths for development policies.
In short, there is no requirement for a sarpanch to run for the assembly, but many could use their experience in local governance as a stepping stone to higher political office. The public should witness a new bonanza of political change in the coming future. This will be the people’s lotto election, building a new era in future politics as political transformations. Let the lucky MLA be the champion by lotto election victory.
