The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has delivered a powerful performance in the recent Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections in Goa, winning all three seats it contested. This decisive victory is seen as a strategic move to solidify its position as a key player ahead of the crucial 2027 state assembly elections.
A Clear Message to BJP: MGP Cannot Be Ignored
Through Monday's election results, the Dhavalikar brothers—Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar and Pandurang 'Deepak' Dhavalikar—have sent a subtle yet firm message to their alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The outcome demonstrates that the MGP remains a decisive force in Goan politics and cannot be sidelined. The party has made it clear it will not play a secondary role in constituencies where it holds significant influence.
The MGP secured victories in three ZP constituencies: Cuelim (Kavlem), Morjim, and Veling-Priol. This achievement is notable as it overcame internal challenges, including concerns that BJP workers might not fully support MGP candidates. This was particularly evident in Priol, where former art and culture minister Govind Gaude, the BJP MLA for the constituency, sought to assert his influence.
Internal Dynamics and Key Constituency Battles
The electoral battle highlighted the simmering tensions within the ruling alliance. Govind Gaude, reportedly slighted after being dropped from the state cabinet, aimed to send a strong message by ensuring a BJP victory in the Curti ZP seat. The BJP candidate, Pritesh Gaonkar, won Curti by approximately 700 votes. Analysis of polling data reveals that BJP's lead came primarily from booths in the Ponda assembly segment, while its vote share declined in areas falling under the Priol assembly constituency, Gaude's own turf.
However, Gaude faced a setback as he failed to retain the Betki Khandola seat for the BJP. This seat is part of the Priol assembly constituency. Independent candidate Sunil Jalmi won Betki Khandola, defeating BJP's Shramesh Bhosle. Political observers indicate that the MGP may have worked behind the scenes to support Jalmi's victory, a development that will likely please the Dhavalikar brothers given their known rivalry with Gaude.
In terms of vote share, MGP's winning candidates posted impressive numbers. Ganpat Naik from Kavlem (Cuelim) received 9,387 votes, the highest in Ponda taluka. Meanwhile, Pushpa alias Aditi Gaude from Priol-Veling won by a massive margin of 5,833 votes, securing 8,176 votes in total.
Alliance Strain Exposed in Arambol
The internal dynamics between BJP and MGP were further exposed in the Arambol ZP constituency. Here, independent candidate Radhika Paleykar defeated the official BJP-MGP alliance candidate, Manisha Korkhankar. This loss occurred despite BJP relying on Mandrem MGP MLA Jit Arolkar to secure a win for Korkhankar. In contrast, MGP's banner candidate, Tara Hadfadkar, won comfortably in the Morjim seat, which is the second ZP seat in the Mandrem assembly constituency, strengthening the Dhavalikar brothers' position.
Implications for the 2027 Goa Assembly Elections
By retaining its tally of three ZP seats—matching its 2020 ZP election performance—the MGP has successfully safeguarded its political turf. The seats of Curti (now with BJP), Veling Priol, and Cuelim (Kavlem) are critical for the party's leverage. This performance significantly boosts MGP's bargaining power as tensions within the ruling dispensation and among its alliance partners continue. The results firmly establish the MGP as a relevant and assertive force that will play a pivotal role in negotiations and government formation strategies leading up to the 2027 Goa legislative assembly elections.
