MARGAO: With the INDIA Bloc’s success in the South Goa seat during the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Party is leaning towards allowing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to contest the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat (ZP) seat in the upcoming June 23 by-election.
This strategic move is seen as a continuation of the INDIA bloc’s efforts to consolidate their position in Goa.
However, there are indications that efforts might be underway by opposition forces from Benaulim constituency to nominate a joint candidate to challenge AAP’s candidacy, which could set the stage for an intense political battle in the ZP constituency.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas of AAP is already mobilizing support on the ground, actively engaging with the local electorate and recruiting new party members. Simultaneously, senior Congress leaders have thrown their weight behind the decision to let AAP contest the Benaulim seat, reinforcing the INDIA bloc’s strategy.
It is learnt that the Congress’s plan to cede the Benaulim seat to AAP was discussed during a recent visit by AAP Goa Chief Amit Palekar with Congress’ Goa in-charge, Manikrao Thakare. Thakare subsequently affirmed the continuation of the INDIA Bloc in Goa, paving the way for the Congress leadership to endorse AAP’s candidature in Benaulim. This decision is further bolstered by the fact that AAP had previously held the Benaulim seat before it was vacated due to a tribunal ruling.
The section of top Goa Congress leaders, supporting this move, have cited Benaulim’s significant lead for its candidate and the new South Goa MPA Captain Viriato Fernandes in the recent Lok Sabha elections as a key factor in their support for AAP. They believe fielding a Congress candidate for the by-election might not resonate well with the local voters, given the bloc’s recent success in the area.
Furthemore, the other INDIA alliance partners are not expected as of now to field a candidate either in support of retaining the alliance.
