Goa Assembly Election 2022: An indication towards multi-polar party politics

Abstract

In the post-statehood period Goa witnessed bi-polar party competition between Congress and BJP. Many regional political parties emerged during assembly elections but the party competition largely remained bi-polar. After the last two elections new political parties entered the electoral arena and they have become significant players in Goa's electoral politics. With every new party entering the electoral arena the combined vote share of Congress and BJP is declining, especially since 2017 assembly election. The 2022 assembly elections in a way convey that Goa's party politics is moving towards multipolarity. If the trend continues there is a possibility that the new players other than the Congress and the BJP will have a larger say in the government formation.