In a significant pre-poll disciplinary move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa expelled ten of its members on Monday. The action comes as the state gears up for the crucial Zilla Panchayat elections, with nine of the expelled individuals filing nominations to contest against the party's official candidates.
Rebellion and Expulsion: The Names Behind the Action
The party took the stern step after failing to persuade these members to withdraw their candidatures. The list of expelled members includes Shiva Suresh Chodankar and Kartik Kudnekar from Socorro, Bhavana Naik from Shiroda, Sanjana Velip and Sanjay Velip from Guirdolim, Atish Gaonkar from Dharbandora, Sudha Gaonkar from Sanvordem, Vipin Prabhugaonkar from Poinguinim, and Atchut Prakash Naik and Rajesh Shetty from Sancoale. While nine were expelled for choosing to fight the elections as rebels, one member faced expulsion solely for engaging in anti-party activities.
The Ticket Distribution Tussle That Sparked the Revolt
The root of the rebellion lies in the party's candidate selection process for the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) polls. The BJP held several rounds of meetings to finalize its candidates. During this process, many party members staked their claim for the ticket. However, the party decided to retain only three sitting ZP members and drop the rest from its official list.
This decision did not sit well with several aspirants who felt sidelined. Defying the party's directive, they proceeded to file their nomination papers, setting the stage for a direct contest against the BJP's chosen candidates. The party's attempts at a last-minute reconciliation failed, leading to the inevitable disciplinary action of expulsion.
Alliance Strategy and Electoral Confidence
Amidst this internal turmoil, the BJP has solidified its electoral strategy by forming an alliance for the ZP polls. The party has joined hands with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and independent MLAs to maximize its chances. As per the seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP will contest in 40 out of the 50 ZP constituencies across the state. The MGP has been allotted three constituencies, while the remaining seats have been left for independent candidates who are backed by independent MLAs aligned with the coalition.
Expressing strong confidence in this alliance, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has projected a victorious outcome. He stated that the BJP-led front is poised to win 20 seats in North Goa and 14 seats in South Goa, aiming for a comfortable majority in the 50-member Zilla Panchayat system. This election is seen as a key test of the ruling party's grassroots strength and organizational cohesion ahead of larger electoral battles.
