Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Nov 8: The Goa State Election Commission on Friday announced the reservation of constituencies for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, with 36% of the total seats reserved for women. A total of 32 constituencies — 17 in South Goa and 15 in North Goa — have been reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and women candidates.
In South Goa, constituencies including Veling-Priol, Borim, Siroda, Barcem, Cortalim, and Usgao-Ganje have been reserved for women. Navelim and Cola are reserved for OBC women, while Rivona is designated for ST women. Seats such as Queula, Nuvem, Davorlim, and Curtorim have been reserved for OBC candidates, and Curti, Raia, Guirdolim, and Sanvordem for ST candidates. Meanwhile, Betqui-Candola, Colva, Velim, Benaulim, Darbandora, Xeldem, Poinguinim, and Sancoale remain in the general category.
The Curtorim seat, which was previously held by Congress’s Michelle Moreno Rebelo, has now been reserved for an OBC candidate.
In North Goa, constituencies such as Arambol, Colvale, Calangute, Reis-Magos, Chimbel, and Maem have been reserved for women. St Cruz, St Lawrence, and Morjim are now reserved for OBC women, while Torxem, Anjuna, Pale, and Honda go to OBC candidates. Querim and Taleigao have been reserved for SC and ST candidates, respectively.
The new reservation pattern has disqualified several sitting ZP members from contesting again from their existing constituencies. Notably, BJP’s Dattaprasad Murari Dabolkar, who represented Calangute, is no longer eligible as the seat is now reserved for women. Similarly, Dhaku Madkaikar, who previously won St Lawrence under the general category, faces disqualification as it is now reserved for OBC women.
Meanwhile, Kavita Kiran Kandolkar, who earlier represented Colvale in the general category, benefits from the change, as her seat is now reserved for women.
Dhargal, which was earlier reserved for SC in 2020 and won by BJP’s Manohar Yashavant Dhargalkar, has now been moved to the general category.
The new reservation list marks a major shift in Goa’s local political landscape ahead of the much-anticipated Zilla Panchayat polls.