Panaji Gears Up for Crucial Civic Body Elections on March 11
As the state capital of Goa prepares for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections scheduled for March 11, Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate has unequivocally stated his intention to consolidate his control over the civic administration. Backed by the organizational machinery of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and facing a fragmented opposition yet to present a unified front, Monserrate appears confident that his panel will encounter no significant electoral threat.
The Quest for a Clean Sweep Across 30 Wards
The central question looming over the election is whether Monserrate can achieve a clean sweep across all 30 municipal wards, securing another term of dominance. For nearly two decades, Monserrate has maintained a firm grip on the city corporation, and this election represents a critical test of his enduring political influence. Approximately 32,000 registered voters will determine the city's civic leadership in this pivotal contest.
State Election Commissioner Menino D’Souza has officially notified the ward reservation roster, which has introduced significant strategic considerations for all parties. Of the 30 wards:
- 10 wards are reserved for women, including three specifically for Other Backward Class (OBC) women and one for Scheduled Tribe (ST) women.
- 5 wards are reserved for OBC candidates.
- 15 wards remain as general seats.
Monserrate's Strategy and Opposition Challenges
Monserrate is expected to prominently feature his son, Rohit Monserrate, the current Mayor of CCP, as the public face of his electoral panel. Although these municipal elections are not formally contested on party lines, Monserrate's panel is widely perceived to enjoy the backing of the BJP.
"We have finalized our candidate list and are fully prepared for the CCP elections," stated Rohit Monserrate. "Our panel includes many new faces. While formal campaigning will intensify as the election date approaches, we have consistently maintained our presence on the ground. The achievements we have delivered over the past five years are unmatched by any other political entity."
The reservation matrix has notably disrupted the strategy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party, which initially planned to contest independently, discovered that several of its targeted wards were reserved for ST and Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, necessitating a strategic recalibration.
"The overarching objective must be to defeat the current MLAs' panel," asserted Valmiki Naik, the state president of AAP. "Several of our local leaders are keen to contest. Ideally, there should be a unified citizen panel, and discussions toward that end are progressing positively."
In a bid to galvanize support, AAP has also sought to revive public opposition to casinos in the city. While Rohit Monserrate maintains that the CCP has no jurisdictional authority over casino operations, this issue may resonate with certain voter segments.
Coalition Efforts and Electoral Dynamics
Former mayor and current corporator Surendra Furtado, a political rival of Monserrate during the present term, is actively attempting to assemble a coalition. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential alliances with Utpal Parrikar, former councillor Menino Da Cruz, and former BJP functionary Dattaprasad Naik. Furtado has confirmed his candidacy from Ward 9, while his son, Leonid Furtado, will contest from Ward 7.
Utpal Parrikar has indicated a willingness to engage in "tactical adjustments" to advance plans for the capital. "We are considering fielding an independent panel. Panaji faces specific challenges, and addressing them effectively requires a change in leadership," Parrikar remarked. He also cautioned against the risk of multiple panels splitting the anti-incumbency vote and emphasized his pursuit of issue-based support.
Parrikar directed sharp criticism at the implementation of the Smart City Mission, labeling it a failure in execution and alleging substandard work quality. He stated that, if elected, his priority would be to ensure full transparency by publishing all data related to smart city projects.
Parrikar confirmed holding meetings with Congress leaders to explore the formation of a single "Together for Panjim" panel, aiming to prevent vote-splitting. "However, such an alliance carries inherent political risks, as it could strain his support base among sections of the BJP old guard and the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community," a political source disclosed.
Key Civic Issues Dominating the Campaign
The election campaign is anticipated to focus on longstanding civic issues that have persistently affected Panaji. The Monserrate-backed panel aims to highlight its track record on flood mitigation efforts, enhancements to public transport, and infrastructure development projects.
However, critics point to several unresolved concerns that continue to plague the city:
- The 3.7-kilometer-long St. Inez creek remains neglected and poorly maintained.
- While door-to-door garbage collection has been widely appreciated, the city's roads continue to suffer from litter and inadequate cleanliness.
- Haphazard and unregulated parking persists as a chronic urban management problem.
- The rapid proliferation of spas across the city has raised public concerns, with some residents alleging unsavoury activities associated with these establishments.
Despite these challenges, the absence of a cohesive opposition alliance in Panaji and the lack of robust grassroots machinery among rival parties suggest that the electoral contest remains significantly tilted in favour of Atanasio Monserrate and his panel as the city approaches the March 11 polls.
