The political landscape in Goa is heating up as the state prepares for the Zilla Panchayat elections, widely viewed as a critical semifinal ahead of the 2027 Legislative Assembly polls. A fierce electoral battle is on the horizon, but the opposition camp, intended to be a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance, remains deeply divided, casting doubt on its effectiveness.
Alliance Talks Collapse as Parties Go Solo
The much-discussed opposition alliance comprising the Congress, the Revolutionary Goans (RG), and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) has effectively splintered even before the first vote is cast. Despite ongoing negotiations, all three parties proceeded to announce their candidates individually, blaming each other for the failure to finalize a seat-sharing agreement. The core of the dispute lies in contentious seats where multiple parties staked their claim.
Congress state president Amit Patkar stated that a final decision on the alliance would be made on Friday. He emphasized that while Congress was prepared to contest all 50 seats, it had taken a step back "in the interest of Goa" to form a coalition. The proposed formula allotted 30 seats to Congress, 13 to RG, and 7 to GFP. However, with Congress releasing its first list of 11 candidates and RG announcing its own list of 11, the alliance exists in name only.
GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai revealed that his party's candidates have begun campaigning in certain constituencies, though an official list is pending. He indicated they are waiting for Congress to declare its candidates fully, suggesting that talks could continue even after the Zilla Panchayat elections.
BJP Consolidates as Opposition Falters
In stark contrast to the opposition's disarray, the BJP has moved decisively. The party has already finalized its alliances with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and several independent candidates. Recognizing its organizational weaknesses in the Salcete region, the BJP has decided to support independent candidates in three key constituencies: Velim, Benaulim, and Nuvem.
RG president Manoj Parab expressed frustration with Congress's handling of the alliance, accusing the "grand old party" of behaving "immaturely and unprofessionally." He claimed that Congress is not taking its partners into confidence. Parab also clarified that RG announced only candidates allocated to them during the preliminary talks and has a strong presence in seats like Shiroda and Corlim, which were not part of the formal seat-sharing discussion.
Adding to the opposition's woes is the entry of former Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes into GFP, which has upset some alliance leaders. This move contradicts an earlier understanding among partners not to entertain defectors.
Key Dates and Campaign Trajectory
The electoral process is now in full swing. The last date for filing nominations is December 9, with voting scheduled for December 20. Campaigning has already begun, with candidates from BJP, Congress, GFP, and RG hitting the ground. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was excluded from the opposition alliance talks, was the first to declare its candidates for these local body polls.
The 50 Zilla Panchayat constituencies are split evenly, with 25 in North Goa and 25 in South Goa. The outcome of this election will be a significant indicator of the political mood in the state and will set the tone for the major assembly elections three years from now. With a united BJP front and a fractured opposition, the stage is indeed set for a fiercely contested battle where local issues and alliance arithmetic will play a decisive role.
