In the Goa Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections held on December 20, 2025, the BJP-led alliance emerged victorious, winning 31 out of 50 seats. The results were confirmed on December 22, with the BJP securing 29 seats and its alliance partner, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), winning 3 seats.
BJP’s Victory and Rebuttal to Opposition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the party workers and thanked the people of Goa for their support, calling it a victory for “good governance” and “progressive politics.” The BJP’s win was also a sharp rebuttal to the Congress, which has previously raised concerns about the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in past elections.
Goa BJP president Damodar Naik said that this victory demonstrated the people’s trust in the ruling party. He emphasized that despite the controversy surrounding EVMs, the ZP elections were held using ballot papers, and yet the BJP secured a commanding win.
Congress and Opposition’s Response
While the BJP celebrated its victory, Congress pointed to the splitting of opposition votes as a reason for the narrow margins in some areas. Carlos Alvares Ferreira, a Congress MLA, claimed that in regions where the opposition vote was divided, the BJP benefited. He added that if the opposition votes had consolidated, the BJP would have likely lost several seats.
Key Highlights of the Election Results
- Total Seats Contested: 50 (25 each in North Goa and South Goa)
- BJP Alliance: 31 seats (29 BJP, 3 MGP)
- Congress: 10 seats
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): 1 seat
- Independent candidates: 4 seats
The BJP’s clear dominance was marked by Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, which Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised. Sawant emphasized that this victory showed a clear rejection of Congress and expressed gratitude to the rural voters for their unwavering faith in the BJP-led NDA government.
Next Steps and Future Goals
Despite the significant win, Sawant acknowledged that the BJP lost some seats by narrow margins, and vowed to address the issues and improve the party’s performance in future elections. The victory also solidified the BJP’s stronghold in the state, showcasing the party’s growing influence in Goa’s rural regions.
Looking Ahead
The ZP election results are a clear indicator of the BJP’s continued dominance in Goa and provide a strong foundation for their future strategy. As Goa heads into the next electoral phase, the BJP will focus on unity and improving margins in future elections.
