Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 30: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured key leadership positions in both North and South Goa Zilla Panchayats. In South Goa, Sidharth Gauns Dessai and Anjali Velip were elected as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively. In North Goa, Reshma Bandodkar was elected unopposed as Chairperson, while Namdev Chari took over as Deputy Chairperson.

In the South Goa Zilla Panchayat election, Gauns Dessai won with 16 out of 25 votes, defeating Congress candidate Luisa Rodrigues, who received nine votes. The election results sparked debate as the BJP managed to secure 16 votes despite having only 15 party members in the Panchayat, raising questions and disagreements within the opposition over the origin of the additional vote.

The outcome strengthens BJP’s control over local governance in both districts, though the controversy in South Goa highlights continuing political tensions.