BJP Leads in 15 of 30 Wards in Panaji CCP Civic Polls, Babush Monserrate-Backed Panel Dominates Early Counting Trends

The Bharatiya Janata Party is heading for a major victory in the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections as early counting trends show the party-backed candidates leading in 15 wards.

Counting of votes for the 30 wards of Panaji began at around 8:00 am on Friday, March 13, at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium.

The civic polls were conducted on March 11 using traditional ballot papers, and officials reported that the voting process was completed smoothly across all booths.

Strong Voter Turnout In Panaji

The election witnessed a strong voter turnout of 69.07 percent, reflecting significant public participation in the municipal polls.

Among all wards, Ward 23 recorded the highest turnout at 81.94 percent, indicating high voter enthusiasm.

A total of 69 candidates contested the elections, with voting held at 48 polling booths across the city.

BJP Backed Panel Dominates Early Trends

The BJP-backed panel in Panaji is being led by Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, the MLA from Panaji, who fielded a full slate of candidates across the wards.

Among the prominent candidates is the incumbent mayor Rohit Monserrate, contesting from Ward 4.

Early trends suggest the BJP-supported candidates are performing strongly across several wards, putting the party on track for a decisive win in the municipal corporation.

Opposition Coalition Faces Tough Contest

The election saw a united challenge from the opposition, including candidates backed by the Indian National Congress and several independent contenders.

One of the key figures in the opposition camp is Utpal Parrikar, who contested as an independent candidate while receiving support from Congress leaders and other local groups.

Despite the opposition’s attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes, early counting trends indicate that the BJP-backed candidates have gained a clear edge in multiple wards.

Reservation Across Several Wards

The civic election also included reservations for specific categories to ensure broader representation.

Out of the 30 wards, 10 were reserved for women, 8 for Other Backward Classes (OBC), and 1 ward for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.

As counting continues, the final results will determine the new composition of the Panaji municipal corporation and the next leadership of the city’s civic body.