The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured control of both zilla panchayat bodies in Goa following elections held on Tuesday. However, the victory in South Goa was marred by a political controversy over an unexpected extra vote, leading to allegations of cross-voting and a sharp blame game between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Election Results and the South Goa Anomaly
In South Goa, the BJP's candidate Sidharth Gauns Dessai was elected as the chairperson with 16 votes. He defeated Congress candidate Luisa Rodrigues, who managed to secure nine votes. Anjali Velip was elected as the deputy chairperson of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat.
The scenario was smoother in North Goa, where BJP candidates Reshma Bandodkar and Namdev Chari were elected unopposed as chairperson and deputy chairperson, respectively.
The controversy stems from the voting arithmetic in South Goa. The BJP holds 11 seats in the body, its ally the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has two, and two Independents supported the BJP candidate. This should have taken the BJP's tally to 15 votes. The Congress-GFP alliance has nine seats. Despite this, Dessai received 16 votes, making the source of the extra vote the centre of a major political dispute.
Political Blame Game Erupts
The Congress party swiftly pointed fingers at the AAP, accusing it of cross-voting and labelling it the BJP's "B-team." Congress state president Amit Patkar launched a strong attack, stating, "By voting for BJP, AAP proved beyond doubt that it is part of BJP in Goa. Different flags, same politics of deception. Goa will not forgive this betrayal."
Echoing this sentiment, South Goa Congress president Savio D’Silva asserted that since all Congress members were united, the source of the extra vote was clear, indicating who the real "B-team" of the BJP is.
AAP Defends Its Anti-BJP Credentials
The AAP, however, strongly refuted these allegations. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas defended his party's position, claiming, "We are the most credible anti-BJP party. Those with no credibility are calling us B-team." This rebuttal sets the stage for continued political friction in the state's opposition space.
The elections have solidified the BJP's hold on grassroots institutions in Goa, but the controversy over the single vote in South Goa has exposed the fragile dynamics and trust deficits within the opposition ranks, potentially reshaping political alignments in the coastal state.
