The independent MLA, however, said he had no objection if ZP elections were conducted on party lines provided certain conditions were met.
Though the delimitation of villages has not been officially declared, Khaunte said he had received reliable information that Socorro, Saligao, Parra and Guirim are likely to be included in Saligao constituency.
“If Socorro is removed from my Porvorim constituency and included in Saligao Constituency, then the BJP has made these changes with mala fide intention. Socorro and Saligao villages are distant from each other and there is absolutely no link between these two villages,” said Khaunte.
“Inclusion of Socorro in Saligao and reserving Saligao constituency for an OBC candidate clearly indicates that this has been done deliberately to ensure that a BJP candidate is elected,” he added.
“Similarly, I have also heard that Sangolda, which is part of Saligao constituency, has been removed and included in Reis Magos constituency and this constituency has been reserved for women to prevent the current Congress ZP member from contesting in Reis Magos constituency. This is not fair.”
“Before carrying out delimitations of constituencies, the State government should have invited views/objections from the general public and panchayats in this regard. This is democracy and government should respect the views of the public,” said Khaunte.
Commenting on the proposal to hold ZP elections on party lines, Khaute said he had no objections to parties contesting the ZP polls.
“Elections on party lines may bring stability in the panchayat. But before doing that, the government should put anti-defection law in place for the ZP members,” said Khaunte.
Incidentally, moves to shift panchayats to different constituencies in and around the Porvorim plateau have caused some resentment among other politicians in the area.
