Zilla Panchayat elections in Goa are undoubtedly, a mid-term assessment of the governance by the present dispensation and the results will reveal as to whether the people of Goa are in favour of or against the way Goa has been governed.
In the light of the happenings of the past one year, it would be very interesting to be able to gauge the verdict of the people viz-a-viz the opposition to the three linear projects cutting through the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Park which had whipped up an overwhelming opposition by the people of Goa.
The same can be said about the anti-coal movement which had also received huge protests from the people. It would not only be interesting to find out about the verdict of the people in South Goa but also in the north.
By large, the mandate should go against the present dispensation which has not been willing to bow to the wishes of the people for the scrapping of the three projects. While the turnout may be not up to expectations because of the fear of contracting Covid-19, the Zilla Panchayat elections will be a barometer of the pulse of the people of Goa.
The opposition to the 3 linear projects had taken the shape of a revolution and so it would be interesting to note its greater impact on the verdict of the people. A high level of anti-incumbency sentiment seems to be in the air.
December 14 will reveal the true colours of Goan political firmament as expressed by the people.
