Goa: Tug-of-war among parties for panchayat grip

MARGAO: With elections for the posts of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch for the panchayats which went to polls earlier this month to be held on Monday, hectic politicking is being witnessed in the rural areas with both the major political parties attempting to cobble up a majority and hold sway over the panchayat bodies.
However, as the elections were not fought on party lines, the political affiliations of those who emerged victorious are unclear in most of the panchayat bodies. However, with the BJP having claimed its dominance on most of the panchayat bodies across the state, “independent” members have formed panels in most of the panchayats with a view to remaining independent by rotating the posts of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch after a specified time.
Sources said that what has driven the members to form independent panels is the failure of any particular party or MLA to get their panels elected.
In Velim constituency, no panel has staked claim for the top two posts in Sao Jose de Areal, Dramapur and Chinchinim panchayats so far, as the members have failed to arrive at a consensus over the choice of candidates.
Ambiguity persists in Benaulim constituency as well. Of the seven panchayats of Benaulim, local MLA Venzy Viegas’ camp has claimed its dominance in three, though the picture is still unclear.
In Navelim constituency, BJP MLA Ulhas Tuenkar is facing an acid test. BJP intends to form its body in Davorlim-Dicarpale, Aquem-Baixo and Rumdamol-Davorlim panchayats.
For the first time in Navelim panchayat, BJP has been able to get victory in a couple of seats, and Tuyekar, it is learnt, is keen in getting this body under his belt as well.
At Rumdamol panchayat, five members who got elected as “independents,” have claimed to have formed a panel ‘United for Rumdamol’ with the objective of ensuring smooth running of the panchayat.