ZP elections will be litmus test for BJP government

Panaji: The fourth zilla panchayat election on Wednesday is likely to be significant, as it will reflect the people’s opinion on a few issues, especially, the acceptance or not, of a contest on party lines and the government’s performance.
The first ZP election was held on February 6, 2000, for 20 seats. The number of seats was increased in the previous election to 50 seats.
Several interesting contests are on the cards. Outgoing North Goa ZP chief Jayesh Salgaonkar is locked in a battle with four other candidates in the Reis Magos segment, while his South Goa counterpart, Nelly Rodrigues, is tied up in a triangular contest in Colva.
While outgoing ZPs are fighting for survival under changed conditions of freshly delimitated constituencies, prominent among them are Dhaku Madkaikar, brother of Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, who is in the fray in St Lawrence (Agasaim) segment, while the MLA’s wife, Janita Madkaikar is contesting from Corlim segment.
A few MLAs are keenly watching the performance of their candidates. Cortalim MLA and forest minister, Alina Saldanha’s nephew, Olencio Simoes is the BJP candidate in Cortalim ZP segment and faces environmental activist Lopino Xavier, former sarpanch Anthony Miranda, outgoing ZP Cinthia D’Silva and Anthony Vaz.
Outgoing ZPs, Suresh Palkar in St Cruz, Antonio Silveira, brother of former MLA Francis Silveira, Daya Pagui and others could not contest due to reservation of their segments for either women or ST candidates. Palkar’s wife is contesting in St Cruz while other ZPs like Clafasio Dias are trying to break new ground in new segments.