Updated: December 15, 2020 6:00:34 am
An organization of school teachers said the postcard campaign was launched in protest at the alleged delay by the central government in releasing their outstanding salaries.
The ruling BJP swept two corps of zilla panchayat in Goa on Monday, winning 33 of the 42 contested seats, while Congress could only win one of the 38 seats contested by the party. Prime Minister Pramod Sawant, who applauded Goans for voting despite the pandemic, said “the people have shown faith in us.”
With the ruling party facing a confidence deficit with statewide protests against various infrastructure projects and political decisions, the BJP has calculated victory as a nod to these projects.
BJP state chairman Sadanand Tanavade said: “There was a lot of agitation that was constantly on social media regarding power, double tracking and coal transportation … all the NGOs, political parties that started these protests tried defame the government. The result is a slap and a certificate of appreciation to BJP. “
“The result shows the faith of farmers, workers, traders, women and youth in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” said CT Ravi, BJP National Secretary General and also in charge of Goa.
Addressing the media in Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said repeated election victories point to popular support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a number of issues, including agricultural reforms and handling of the COVID outbreak. -19. “Poor rural regions and farmers form the backbone of this country. These results would not have been possible without their support, ”said Patra, adding that the results have shown that people, including farmers, support Modi because he is their true“ supporter ”.
Another aspect of the polls that cannot be ignored by legacy parties like the BJP or Congress is the rise in independents this year: independents won a total of seven seats.
Meanwhile, admitting defeat, the president of the Goa Congress, Girish Chodankar, said that there will be a “deep analysis” of the results. “We cannot convince people that we are changing. They feel that if they vote for Congress, their vote will go to the BJP, as in the past our MLA defected, ”he said. “We couldn’t remove this perception from people’s minds … We respect their dissent and promise to change.”
While the count continued until late, figures released by the state election commission said 4.50 lakhs of voters cast their votes from 7.91,814 eligible voters. “I humbly bow to the people of Goa for the trust they have placed in the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as the Government of Goa working under my leadership. Let’s shape a glorious and Swayampurna [self-reliant] Goa carrying the same trust and confidence, ”Sawant tweeted.
The vote, which took place on December 12, also saw the AAP and regional MGP party also not make much progress, with MGP winning 4 seats and AAP just one. The only seat the AAP won in South Goa is also the first in an election in Goa, where the past month has seen the Arvind Kejriwal party sparking debates in local media about the promise of free electricity.
With Sawant as Chief Minister since 2019, the state has been grappling with unemployment issues, a stalemate in the Mhadhei water dispute with Karnataka, and there are no signs of mining operations resuming. Sawant called this election the “test” for his government.
“Normally, a party in power manages the results of the polls of local bodies. When the party loses the elections of the local organs, it is a clear signal that the party is out. In Goa, the ruling party is supported by some 29 MLAs. But the performance of Congress is miserable. People did not have a properly managed alternative. They failed to reap the decline of the BJP. Large number of independents show failure. With all the bravado, AAP is again a non-incumbent, ”said Cleofat Coutinho Almeida, political commentator.
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