The Panchayat elections, held under the Panchayat Raj Act needs to be strictly conducted on apolitical lines, but political parties do not really seem to care for the law and are fielding candidates, obviously without party symbol, with a larger aim to gain strength in the grassroots bodies. The ruling BJP and its allies- Goa Forward Party, MGP and independents and the opposition Congress are backing panels and individual candidates- making all out efforts to ensure their win.
With implementation of the 27-day long model code of conduct, the State Election Commission (SEC) has set the ball rolling for the elections in 186 village Panchayats (VP) covering 1522 wards in Goa to be held on June 11. As the buzz for State Assembly election ended in March with new BJP-led coalition government taking over, political parties are now busy to get its hold on the local governing body-VP. Gaining an upper hand in the VP election is a matter of prestige for the political parties, specially the one in power.
What’s interesting to wait and watch for is that with new Panchayats taking over on June 13 (the counting day) Government intends to have a relook at the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, in a bid to end the game of musical chair in Panchayats played by the elected members to the local self-governing bodies- to go for a ‘FIX TERM’ for the elected representatives.
As government notifies delimitation and reservation of wards, which many Panchayats are not happy with (a normal phenomena), 39 new wards have been added this time. As many as 540 wards are reserved for OBC, SC and ST and 490 wards for women that includes 323 seats in general category.
For the first time, 15 seats are reserved for ‘scheduled caste’ (SC) community with 12 wards for male and three for female. The community has got reservation in talukas of Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari, Bardez and Salcete.
Further, of the total 540 wards, 357 seats are reserved for ‘other backward classes’ (OBC) which includes 247 wards for male and 110 for female. Similarly another 168 seats are reserved for ‘scheduled tribe’(ST) community that has 114 seats for male and 54 wards for female.
“All efforts would be in place to ensure free, fair and transparent election process,” state election commissioner RK Srivastava said.
The Panchayat elections, held under the Panchayat Raj Act needs to be strictly conducted on apolitical lines, but political parties do not really seem to care for the law and are fielding candidates, obviously without party symbol, with a larger aim to gain strength in the grassroots bodies. The ruling BJP and its allies- Goa Forward Party, MGP and independents and the opposition Congress are backing panels and individual candidates- making all out efforts to ensure their win.
While the Ministers cannot be a part of the campaign as per the model code of conduct, the party workers at the grass root level are reaching out to the people seeking support. “Our karyakartas are working with the candidates backed by the party at village level. Party is confident of gaining hold over maximum Panchayats,” BJP president Vinay Tendulkar told TNV.
Though, the recent Assembly election saw people rejecting Bharatiya Janata Party, who despite that managed to form the coalition government. The saffron party has advantage as well disadvantage of the VP polls. While there may be many thinking to vote for a panel backed by ruling coalition as it is always a better choice from the developmental point of view, many are upset with the BJP’s act of snatching away power from Congress, who emerged as the single largest party during February 4 election.
“It is no more secret that political parties field their panel for Panchayat election, without party symbol. This election too, we are backing panels as well as individual candidates. We are confident that people will once again reject the BJP and its coalition members. They have cheated the voters and there is anger amongst people,” Congress leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar said.
The political parties or the MLAs play a pivotal role in changing the helm of affairs in their favour. The disqualification of Sarpanch, even much before completion of the term is not a new concept for Goa. However, the government now wants to put an end to this.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that he would review the Goa Panchayat Raj Act post elections, thereby fixing term for Sarpanch and the members.
“If we want a healthy Goa, then, the Panchayats have to be strengthened. But along with powers comes responsibilities. There can be no development without stability. I will review the entire Act and whatever it takes to bring stability I will do, including amendments to the Act,” Minister said.
He further said that having one Sarpanch for the entire term calls for a lot of stability and good development without any interruptions. “We have to strengthen our panchayat raj system.”
The new Panchayat bodies at 186 VPs will be known on June 13.
Team TNV
