Panaji, Feb 23 (IANS) The upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections, due in March, have run into rough weather with the two main opposition parties now vowing to boycott the polls even before the campaigning could start in the state.
The Congress Monday become the latest party to resolve to boycott the elections, which by an ordinance issued two weeks ago by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government, will now be contested along political lines.
"We will not take part in these elections as a party and we are opposed to this decision to hold elections on party lines," Congress spokesperson Yatish Naik said.
On Saturday, the Nationalist Congress Party had also said it would not take part in the elections for similar reasons.
The first rumblings of opposition for the Zilla Panchayat elections on party lines had come from the outgoing members of the North and South panchayats, who had questioned the government's move, which they too claim, was conceived and executed without consulting them.
Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, however, defended his government's decision claiming it was his prerogative and that an election on political lines for the Zilla Panchayats would prevent constant defection of elected members from opposition to treasury benches and vice versa.
"If the new system (Zilla Panchayat elections on political lines) gets a good response, we could even think of having village panchayat polls on political lines," Parsekar said.
"Other states like West Bengal also have political parties contesting Zilla Panchayat elections. Goa is not the first (state)," Parsekar told IANS.
Goa has two Zilla Parishads but, its members have accused successive state governments of delegating the Panchayati Raj institutions little power or budget.
Businessmen trying to connect Loom's fabric
Bhiwandi, echoing day and night with the noise of power loom machines, is called 'Loom Nagari', b
Don't stress yourself, take exams joyfully, Modi tells students
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sun
A sensational incident unfolded this morning at the Dwarka Court in the national capital, Delhi,
After the end of strict restrictions in China, the cases of corona are increasing once again. Two
Given the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, the Government of India has started Operation Sind
The clouds of crisis have deepened over the film 'Ramayana', which is being made o
Nasal vaccine trial: Bharat Biotech allowed testing nasal booster dose
The Drug Controller of India (DCGI) has permitted Bharat Biotech to test a booster dose of its na
Tendulkar presents Player of the Match, Series awards
Melbourne, March 29 (IANS) Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar presented the Player of the M
Diljit Dosanjh: Diljit Dosanjh gifted shoes to a Pakistani fan, and said- we Punjabis love everyone
Famous actor and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is often in the news for his films and songs. The
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2 has been a constant subject of discussion ever since its release
