The political landscape of Margao is witnessing a significant recalibration after Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai recently announced his intention to contest the upcoming municipal elections from Margao and Curtorim too, marking a dramatic shift from the alliance dynamics that previously governed the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
This strategic manoeuvre carries profound implications for the current BJP-backed administration, which assumed control following the collapse of the earlier GFP-Congress partnership that had once dominated municipal politics in the commercial capital.
Sardesai’s public declaration comes at a time when the BJP has firm control over the municipal administration through its supported panels across both Margao and Fatorda constituencies as well as at Curtorim. Political observers suggest this timing is deliberate, aimed at establishing early ground presence before the electoral campaign intensifies.
The dynamics fundamentally changed when former Congress Margao MLA Digambar Kamat defected to the BJP in mid-September 2022. Kamat-backed Damodar (Damu) Shirodkar became MMC Chairperson in October 2022, supported by BJP councillors, including former GFP councillors from Fatorda who also joined the ruling party. The Fatorda group of GFP councillors have since been in opposition within the council body.
Political observers note that the numbers game poses a significant hurdle for GFP. Even sweeping all the 11 wards in Fatorda constituency would leave Sardesai short of the 13 seats needed for council formation to gain majority in the 25-member civic body.
“GFP will need to win at least two-three seats from Margao constituency’s municipal area to have any realistic chance of forming the council,” remarked a political observer, highlighting the direct challenge to the established BJP network in Kamat’s traditional stronghold.
The current arrangement represents a stark departure from previous cycles.
In both 2015 and 2021, Kamat, then the Margao Congress MLA, and Sardesai operated under the Margao Civic Alliance banner, successfully keeping BJP influence at bay while securing comfortable majorities. This collaboration enabled both leaders to consolidate their territorial strengths, with the alliance yielding sufficient numbers to maintain civic control.
However, Kamat’s return to the BJP fold fundamentally altered these dynamics, creating the current scenario where former allies now find themselves on opposing sides with Sardesai becoming one of Kamat’s most vocal critics.
The BJP's position appears considerably strengthened compared to previous cycles. The party now enjoys an established presence across both constituencies, enhanced by Kamat’s political homecoming and the elevation of former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik to BJP State President. This dual leadership structure provides significant organisational depth and local credibility that could prove decisive.
Significantly, Damu Naik’s role as State President positions him as a formidable force in mobilising BJP resources and organisational machinery.
When asked about Sardesai’s challenge, Kamat maintained characteristic composure, stating that in a democratic setup, any citizen retains the right to contest elections. His measured response, emphasising that "it is the public who will determine the fate of any candidate," reflects the confidence of a seasoned politician who has navigated seven successful Assembly campaigns. Yet beneath this calm exterior lies recognition that municipal control serves as a barometer of broader political strength, particularly crucial given the approaching Assembly elections.
The Congress party’s position adds another dimension to the municipal contest. With former Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho maintaining the party’s presence in Margao and the recent induction of businessman Chirag Naik, Congress appears positioned to field candidates across multiple wards with the duo repeatedly targeting Kamat as well. Chirag Naik’s statement about Congress’s intention to contest comprehensively in the 2026 municipal polls indicates the electoral battlefield may become a three-way contest rather than a direct BJP-GFP confrontation.
Political analysts view Congress's positioning as potentially decisive in determining the final outcome. The party’s recent organisational activities, including Chirag Naik’s recruitment, suggest preparation for a comprehensive municipal campaign. "The three-way contest could significantly alter seat calculations, particularly if voting patterns fragment along constituency lines," noted a political commentator.
For Sardesai, the municipal elections represent both opportunity and necessity. Without establishing a foothold in Margao’s municipal wards, GFP’s prospects for broader political expansion remain limited. The regional party’s current strength in Fatorda alone proves insufficient for municipal control, making expansion into Margao territory essential for political survival and growth.
GFP’s indication that they will field candidates in MMC wards falling under Curtorim constituency reveals intent to ensure councillors from this area can help make the difference. However, in Curtorim, sitting independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who backs the BJP government, is known not to get too involved in MMC functioning except for handling Sonsodo legacy dump site issues. Lourenco has also downplayed the impact of GFP’s entry in Curtorim.
The stakes extend beyond immediate municipal governance. Control over MMC provides crucial advantages in resource allocation, development project implementation, and grassroots organisational building. These factors become particularly significant when considering the 2027 Assembly elections, where municipal control often translates into enhanced electoral machinery and voter outreach capabilities.
In the long run, municipal elections will serve as a critical testing ground for all parties ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with control over the MMC likely determining political momentum for the larger electoral battle.