MARGAO: A section of citizens from Benaulim are urging the Congress party to break from the INDIA alliance for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) by-election and field its own candidate to oppose the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). If Congress fails to do so, the constituents warn that a new political front will be created to represent their interests.
The call to go solo comes despite Congress and AAP being part of the INDIA alliance, where AAP did not field a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections in Goa and instead backed the Congress nominee. However, the dynamics are different for the ZP polls.
In the previous ZP election for Benaulim, AAP’s Hansel Fernandes had defeated Congress’ Royla Fernandes. Royla then filed a petition against Hansel, leading to his disqualification and triggering the upcoming by-election. Royla is expected to contest again.
Social activist Warren Alemao also issued a statement in this regard.
“I am ready to work and make sure the Congress candidate is the next ZP representative of Benaulim if the party decides to field their own candidate,” Alemao stated. “We do not need an alliance for ZP elections; that’s the opinion of the people of Benaulim, as the AAP MLA and AAP ZP representative have done zero development in the constituency.”
“We are waiting for the Congress party to decide if they want their soul to remain in Benaulim. Otherwise, a front will be created, and we will start working in Benaulim,” Alemao warned. The citizens and Alemao are demanding an active ZP representation, putting pressure on Congress to prioritise local interests over the INDIA alliance.
AAP, meanwhile, has stated that it will decide on its candidate for the by-election after June 5, setting the stage for a potential showdown with its ally Congress. June 4, the day of the Lok Sabha election result, and the Benaulim by-poll, which will be held later, have become a litmus test for the unity of the INDIA alliance in Goa.