Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI:The Congress today finalised its first set of 11 candidates for the December 20 Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, even as its efforts to form a pre-poll alliance faced internal disagreements, leaving talks with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) inconclusive.
The Pradesh Election Committee (PEC), which met in Panaji late Monday evening, could not reach a consensus on whether the party should formally join hands with the two regional outfits. A senior PEC member confirmed the split in opinion, noting there was “no unanimity” on forming an alliance ahead of the polls.
GPCC president Amit Patkar said the Congress would proceed in constituencies where there is no friction with potential partners. “We are releasing our first list in seats where there is no dispute. Discussions continue over certain constituencies that are Congress strongholds,” he said.
Meanwhile, rival parties continue to expand their footprint. The BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have already declared multiple candidates across the State. Nominations opened on Monday, though no submissions were received on the first day. They will be accepted until December 9 between 10 am and 1 pm, except on December 3 and December 7.
On the same day, AAP released its third list of seven more candidates, adding to the 22 names announced previously. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the allotment of three ZP constituencies to the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) as part of ongoing seat-sharing arrangements. He also stated that the BJP would support selected independent candidates where necessary.
Earlier, Sawant, BJP State president Damu Naik, and two general secretaries briefed the party’s candidates about election rules, campaign conduct, and strategy. The remaining BJP candidate names are expected to be declared on Tuesday.
The BJP had released its first list on Sunday, naming 19 candidates — 12 from North Goa and seven from South Goa. Goa has a total of 50 Zilla Panchayat constituencies.
