The Indian General Elections 2024 are in full swing, with citizens across the country casting their votes for the third phase today. Goa, a tiny coastal state with just two seats, heads to the polls alongside 91 other constituencies in this third phase of voting. The elections have drawn significant attention nationwide, including in Goa, where the battle is heating up between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INDI Alliance, comprising Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Goa Elections: Scenario and Key Players
Goa’s political scene is dynamic, with both the BJP and the INDI Alliance vying for control of the state’s two seats. The BJP is running independently, while the INDI Alliance has aligned Congress and AAP. The state heads, Amit Patkar of Congress and Amit Palekar of AAP, have been seen together on the ground, leading rallies and press conferences to sway the electorate.
In North Goa, the BJP has once again fielded Shripad Naik, while the South Goa candidate, Pallavi Dempo, is a last-minute pick. She is a woman entrepreneur who joined the party on the same day her candidacy was announced. For Congress, Indian Navy veteran Captain (Retd.) Viriato Fernandes is contesting in South Goa against BJP’s Pallavi Dempo, while former Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Adv Ramakant Khalap, is contesting against Shripad Naik in North Goa. Captain (Retd.) Viriato Fernandes, a distinguished veteran, highlights his credentials on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing his military background and academic achievements.
Campaigning and Rally Highlights
Despite having only two seats, Goa has witnessed significant campaigning from both sides. The BJP conducted massive rallies, including appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, while the INDI Alliance saw a successful rally led by Shashi Tharoor. The BJP’s war cry #AbkiBaar400Paar reflects its ambitious aim for these elections.
Past and Present Political Landscape
Historically, North Goa has favored the BJP, with Shripad Naik winning five consecutive terms. In contrast, South Goa has seen mixed results, with Congress winning in 2009 and 2019, while the BJP won in 2014. This year, the BJP is aggressively campaigning in South Goa, while Shripad Naik aims for his sixth term in North Goa.
Goa’s Electorate
Goa has a total electorate of around 11,79,644, with 5,98,934 voters in South Goa and 5,80,710 voters in North Goa. The voters will decide the fate of the candidates, and the results will reveal which political party emerges victorious in this coastal state.
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