PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday visited the Shree Manguesh Temple at Mangeshi and the Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem, seeking blessings, where in an interaction with the media later, he said the party would announce its candidate for the April 9 bypoll within two days.
“We have come to the Mangueshi temple to pray for the betterment of the health of all Goans and to pay our respects,” he said.
Questions were raised about the absence of local AAP leader Advocate Surel Tilve, who has been a prominent face in Ponda. Kejriwal assured that Tilve would be active soon. “He might be busy with his work and will be seen soon,” he remarked.
The Ponda bye-election, necessitated by the vacancy caused by the death of Ravi Naik, is slated for April 9, and the process has already begun with the filing of nominations open until March 23.
The Congress has already declared Ketan Bhatikar as its candidate, while other parties are expected to announce their nominees in the coming days.
AAP’s likely entry into the contest is being closely watched, as the party has been attempting to expand its footprint in Goa beyond its traditional strongholds.
Kejriwal’s visits are seen as part of a broader outreach strategy aimed at connecting with local sentiments and signalling the party’s intent to contest in Ponda.
