PANJIM: The state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday declared Joseph Jesus Gabriel Pimenta as the INDIA Bloc candidate for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) bypoll in Benaulim to be held on June 23.
Pimenta, 43 is a businessman and social worker based in Orlim village and holds a diploma in hotel management, and is a former seafarer. He joined AAP with his supporters during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign in support of victorious INDIA Bloc candidate Capt Viriato Fernandes. His wife, Nifa Pimenta, is a former Deputy Sarpanch of Orlim village panchayat and they have both been a part of various social, educational, religious and sports activities in the village, according
to AAP State convenor Amit Palekar.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said, “We have convened a meeting of the Benaulim Block Congress Committee on Tuesday, June 11, to decide party’s strategy for the ZP by-election”.
Royla jumps into poll fray as independent
Team Herald
MARGAO: In a surprising move, Royla Fernandes, a Congress leader from Benaulim, on Monday announced her decision to contest the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) by-poll as an independent candidate, citing her unwavering loyalty to the Congress party.
Fernandes emphasised that her independent candidacy is a demonstration of her deep-rooted love and devotion to the party’s principles.
Royla’s decision to contest the ZP by-poll independently has added a new layer of complexity to the political landscape, especially considering the Congress party’s recent endorsement of the AAP to field a candidate on behalf of the INDIA Bloc.
As the by-election approaches, the dynamics between Fernandes, the Congress party and the AAP will be closely watched, with analysts eagerly awaiting the outcome and its implications for future alliances and power dynamics in the constituency.
She has expressed her belief that the Congress party deserves representation in Benaulim, a sentiment reflecting her deep-rooted commitment to the party’s values and principles. Despite her decision to contest the ZP by-poll independently, Fernandes says she remains steadfast in her conviction that the Congress party’s legacy
With the INDIA Bloc’s recent triumph in the South Goa seat during the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Party said it is inclined to allowing the AAP the opportunity to contest the Benaulim ZP by-poll on June 23.
The strategic decision comes amidst growing momentum for the AAP, fuelled by the mobilisation efforts of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, who has been actively rallying support on the ground.
Royla told media persons that the INDIA Bloc is not the appropriate forum to determine whether the candidacy should be represented by Party A or Party B.
“INDIA Bloc was established for the Lok Sabha elections nationwide and in the national interest, given the perceived threat to the Constitution, and it has demonstrated its necessity,” Royla asserted.
She further disclosed that the bye-poll in the reserved Benaulim Zilla Panchayat constituency has arisen as a result of her election petition, which was filed back in 2021, by herself.
“I was in the second position during that ZP election. What we sought is representation for the by-poll. We advocate for Congress representation. While I will contest as an independent candidate, it’s solely out of love for the Congress,” she said.
Royla further emphasised that the INDIA Bloc’s scope does not extend to the domain of Panchayat Raj, as the ZP election falls under its jurisdiction.
She also voiced the belief that it is incumbent upon the Congress leadership to honour the perspectives of grassroots workers, as doing so will bolster the party’s foundation.
In the 2020 ZP election, Royla had lost to Hanzel Fernandes of AAP. However, Hanzel was later disqualified on the ground that Christian Mesta community to which he belongs is not included included in the State OBC list.
