In Pernem, where ‘unity is for show’, BJP ticket the final prize

Pernem: As you meander through the slopes of Korgao, Paliem, and Keri, it is difficult to believe that the ZP elections were under way. People were going about their business, and election fever seemed as distant as the smooth roads promised for Diwali.

But underneath, a fierce contest is under way for the Arambol, Morjim, Dhargalim, and Torxem ZP seats in the northernmost part of Goa. And not between the state’s two major national parties.


Amidst the facade of unity portrayed by the taluka’s BJP powerhouses, lies a closely fought battle to emerge in the numero uno position for the assembly elections. While the four ZP seats up for grabs may not sound alluring, the results will decide who gets BJP ticket in 2027, said locals.

Voters are aware that current Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, who got elected on an MGP ticket in 2022, is hankering for a move to BJP, which is sure to rankle former MLAs Dayanand Sopte and Laxmikant Parsekar. The ZP elections will prove who has the people’s support, said voters. Former deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has openly backed an independent candidate in Torxem despite being part of BJP. The rebellion has not gone down well with current Pernem BJP MLA Pravin Arlekar.

“The unity between Jit Arolkar, Dayanand Sopte, and Pravin Arlekar is for show. This election will decide the fate of Sopte and Jit for 2027. People are upset with Jit because of the rise in violence, extortion, and illegalities. He is on the backfoot,” said a booth president of a major political party.

Arlekar and Arolkar are forced to work together as their turf overlaps significantly. On the ZP map, the Mandrem MLA’s villages of Parcem and Tuem come under the Dhargalim ZP constituency, which are part of the Pernem assembly constituency. Similarly, Korgao village in Pernem, a part of the Arambol ZP constituency, falls in the Mandrem assembly constituency.

“I was not active in these elections but when I meet people while going around, I notice anger against govt. People are talking but govt has an advantage here also since there are many candidates who are fighting to take advantage of this anger. There are three-cornered and four-cornered fights and thus the final winner will be govt’s candidate,” Parsekar told reporters.

Voters said that GFP could pull off a major upset in Morjim as many voters are disgruntled by the family raj politics of MGP candidate Tara Hadfadkar. On the other hand, Hadfadkar’s victory will strengthen Arolkar’s hand.

“The opposition vote is getting split. But based on the overall reactions of the people, it looks like BJP vote share will decrease,” Parsekar told reporters.

In Arambol, BJP’s Manisha Korkhankar is going head to head with independent candidate Radhika Palyekar, with Congress and RG candidates struggling to gain traction among the voters.

“Some people said that they don’t vote because they get no benefit. Once the candidate is elected, they never show their face again,” said a woman after casting her vote.

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