Ponda: Unlike other elections, the prevailing COVID pandemic and health concerns have meant that this year’s Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections are a subdued affair.
This will however have a bearing on the chances of the 28 candidates in the Ponda taluka, who have had to deal with an interrupted campaign, one eight months ago and the second where they have had barely eight days before Saturday’s polling date.
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These candidates are independents and those from MGP, BJP and Congress.
Given the absence of an election atmosphere or hectic campaigning, candidates have been hoping that voters come out in large numbers to exercise their right. It is to be noted that the candidates, be it independents or from political parties, have been reaching out to their candidates with party leaders too seen canvassing and visiting the constituencies. This is however more limited than preferred and has been a bone of contention amongst candidates who couldn’t actively campaign as per the Election Commission’s rules and have to basically rely on whatever campaigning they had done in March.
There is also a worry that voters may not come out to vote due to COVID although the authorities insist that safety precautions will be taken.
In Ponda, all the political parties had seen their top leaders including MLAs, MPs and Ministers campaign for their candidates. Even Independent Priol MLA and State Minister Govind Gaude campaigned.
In Ponda there are 7 ZP constituencies including Usgao Ganjem, Bethki Khandola, Curti, Veling Priol , Quela, Borim and Shiroda. While BJP is contesting all the seats, MGP is contesting six, leaving out Usgao Ganjem. Congress is contesting in Curti and Usgao. although there is an understanding between MGP and Congress in some ZP constituencies in the State.
