NT Reporter
Ponda
Dr Ketan Bhatikar joined the Indian National Congress along with his supporters ahead of the Ponda by-election, stating that he will remain with the party until the 2027 general assembly elections and will begin door-to-door campaigning for the upcoming bypoll.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said Bhatikar’s induction would strengthen the party’s prospects in Ponda. He alleged that the Chief Minister’s repeated visits to Ponda under the banner of awareness camps reflected concern over
the bypoll.
The induction ceremony was held at Grand Celebration Hall, Curti-Ponda.
Goa Congress president Amit Patkar said Bhatikar has strong grassroots connections, particularly among the youth, and expressed confidence that his entry would boost the party’s campaign.
Observer Anjali Nimbalkar welcomed Bhatikar into the party and said she hoped he would uphold the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar. AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare said the Congress remains the alternative to the BJP-led government in Goa and added that the party would follow its standard procedure in selecting its candidate for the Ponda by-election. He said Bhatikar’s induction would further strengthen and consolidate the party in the constituency.
AICC office bearer Rajesh Verenkar said party workers and block committee members would support the party’s decision regarding candidate selection and work unitedly for the bypoll.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by John Pereira.
