What looked like a simple corrigendum from State Election Commissioner Menino D’Souza has shaken up the political landscape in Raia. The announcement that the Raia Zilla Panchayat constituency—earlier reserved for an ST candidate—would now be reserved specifically for Women (ST) has thrown candidates and parties into complete disarray.
Many candidates had already kicked off their campaigns with confidence. But overnight, husbands who had been preparing for the polls now find themselves pushing their wives forward into the political fray. Major political parties have been caught off-guard too, rushing to find strong ST women candidates with barely any time left before the December 20 election.
For most, the shock isn’t just about the timing—it’s about the lack of clarity on why the reservation was changed at the last minute. Several candidates pointed out that Raia was already reserved for Women (ST) just five years ago, making the sudden switch even more baffling.
Goa Forward’s Plans Thrown Off Course
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) had been among the first to mobilize in Raia. On October 2, party leader Vijai Sardesai inducted former Raia Sarpanch Luis Quadros into the party, and the two immediately began intensive ward-level outreach.
But with the SEC’s surprise decision, the GFP’s strategy has been upended. Sardesai confirmed on Monday that the party will now field Quadros’ wife as their candidate.
“We had covered a lot of ground with Luis,” Sardesai said. “But with the reservation now changed to Women (ST), we will field his wife instead.”
Sitting ZP Member Also Turns to His Wife
Three-time Raia ZP member Dominick Gaonkar, who had already begun campaigning months ahead of his rivals, now finds himself in the same situation. The Gaonkar family has held the Raia seat for two decades—Dominick thrice and his wife Fatima once.
He’s now preparing to hand the baton back to Fatima.
“I had started my campaign early, but with the change in reservation, my wife Fatima will contest,” he said. “She knows the people, she has represented them before, and she has always been working alongside me on ZP projects.”
AAP Forced to Hit the Pause Button
The Aam Aadmi Party is also scrambling to reorganize. Their candidate, former Rachol panchayat member Luis Oliveira, had been actively campaigning after his name was announced on November 17.
But the SEC’s decision suddenly disqualifies him from the race.
AAP leader Gerson Gomes admitted the development has brought their campaign in Raia to a halt. The party is now considering three potential Women (ST) candidates to replace Oliveira and salvage their election plans.
Anti-Coal Activist Xavier Fernandes Sidelined
Well-known anti-coal activist Xavier Fernandes, who was expected to contest on a Congress ticket, has also been knocked out of contention by the reservation shuffle. Fernandes said he was “baffled” by the SEC’s move, especially since he had already covered significant ground in Loutolim.
“There was no demand from Raia to reserve the seat for Women (ST),” he said. “The SEC seems to have taken this decision on its own.”
Now, the Congress finds itself in a difficult position as it searches for a strong ST woman candidate—an unexpected task at this late hour.
The SEC’s last-minute reservation change has left candidates confused, campaigns disrupted, and parties scrambling. With just weeks left before polling day, Raia has suddenly become one of the most unpredictable battlegrounds in Goa’s upcoming ZP elections.
