Last date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 26
PANAJI
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Opposition Indian National Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party have fielded their candidates for the April 9 by-poll to the Ponda Assembly seat in South Goa. The deadline for filing of nominations for the Ponda by-poll ended on Monday. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures will be Thursday (March 26).
The BJP has nominated Ritesh Naik, son of late MLA and former Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, whose demise necessitated the by-election. The Congress has fielded Dr Ketan Bhatikar, while the AAP has nominated Geetesh Naik.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, along with senior leaders including Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, Digambar Kamat, Subhash Shirodkar, and MLA Govind Gaude, accompanied Ritesh Naik during the filing of his nomination papers. BJP state president Damodar Naik and leader Vishwanath Dalvi were also present.
Expressing confidence, Sawant said the BJP is well-positioned to retain the seat, citing development carried out under the party-led government and the legacy of Ravi Naik. “Ritesh is the alliance candidate of BJP-MGP. We are confident of retaining the seat with support from karyakartas. As a tribute to late Ravi Naik, the people of Ponda should vote for the BJP. The party will fulfil his pending promises within the next six to eight months,” he said.
On the Congress side, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, along with MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Ferreira, accompanied Bhatikar for the filing of his nomination.
Bhatikar criticised the BJP government’s performance, alleging pressure on opposition workers and pointing to issues such as poor infrastructure, erratic electricity supply, and gaps in healthcare services, including deficiencies at the ID Hospital and blood bank facilities. He also highlighted his narrow defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections by just 77 votes when he had contested on a Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party ticket, which is now allied with the BJP.
Referring to the legacy of Ravi Naik, Alemao said it was rooted in the welfare of the Bahujan community, kul-mundkars, and the broader interests of the people. “This is the Congress ideology, and we will take it forward. With the development carried out by Congress governments in Ponda in the past, I am confident of winning this seat,” he said.
The Revolutionary Goans Party has extended its support to the Congress candidate, with Alemao describing the alliance as a “winning formula.” “Their support will help us defeat the BJP. I thank them for taking the right step in the interest of Goa,” he added.
Meanwhile, AAP candidate Geetesh Naik filed his nomination in the presence of party MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, along with state president Valmiki Naik. Notably, Naik joined the party only a week ago in the presence of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Appealing to voters, Valmiki Naik said the party is committed to delivering results within a short time frame. “We urge the people of Ponda to give AAP a chance. The work that no MLA could accomplish, we will deliver in eight months. If we fail, do not vote for us again,” he said.
With all key players now in the fray, the Ponda by-election is set for an intense contest, with each party banking on local support and campaign momentum ahead of polling day.
