Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Nov 21: With seat-sharing negotiations among the Congress, Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Revolutionary Goans (RG) still stuck in limbo, the GFP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have surged ahead, launching full-fledged campaigns for the upcoming zilla panchayat elections. While the opposition bloc remains tangled in internal claims and counterclaims, AAP and GFP appear determined to seize the early advantage.

AAP, which has already decided to contest the polls independently, has announced 14 candidates who have begun intensive door-to-door outreach. The party is also experimenting with constituency-level manifestos, inviting locals to identify key issues to be included. In Benaulim, sitting ZP member Joseph Pimenta—renominated this year—expressed confidence in retaining his seat, while candidates like James Fernandes in Xeldem have reported encouraging public feedback.

In Salcete, AAP plans to contest all nine ZP seats, emerging as a direct challenger to Congress, GFP and RG. The party is placing special emphasis on Velim, Benaulim and Colva—constituencies represented in the Assembly by AAP MLAs Cruz Silva and Venzy Viegas.

Meanwhile, the much-talked-about opposition alliance is struggling to seal a seat-sharing formula. The deadlock is most evident in Salcete, where both Congress and GFP have staked claim to key constituencies. Unwilling to wait any longer, GFP has intensified its field activities, launching campaigns for Prashant Naik in Poinguinim and Kajal Gaonkar in Shiroda. The party is also eyeing Raia and Davorlim in Salcete, areas where Congress asserts its traditional hold. GFP’s recent induction of former Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes—viewed as a strategic boost—has reportedly caused unease among its would-be alliance partners.

GFP president Vijai Sardesai has acknowledged the possibility of “friendly fights” if negotiations fail to produce consensus in the coming days.

While RG is expected to contest several seats in South Goa, the party has so far kept its cards close to its chest. For Congress, which managed to win only three of Salcete’s nine seats in 2020, political observers say the stakes are especially high. Reclaiming its traditional bastion may determine not just its performance in the ZP polls but also its broader political relevance in the state’s southern belt.