NT Reporter
Panaji/Ponda
Congress has finalised Dr Ketan Bhatikar as its candidate for the by-election to the Ponda legislative assembly constituency seat, which is scheduled to be held on April 9.
Dr Bhatikar, who joined Congress last month, was earlier a Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the name of Dr Bhatikar as the party’s candidate for the ensuing Ponda by-election, said All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal in a press communiqué on Tuesday.
In a press conference held in Ponda, Congress’ Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakre said the party is open for a united alliance in order to defeat BJP candidate. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao were present at the press briefing.
Thanking Goa block Congress secretary Rajesh Verenkar for his support to Dr Bhatikar’s candidature, Patkar said both will work together to make Congress victorious at the bypoll. Patkar had on Monday said that the party had recommended Dr Bhatikar as its candidate for the bypoll.
The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for the by-election according to which counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.
As per the schedule, the filing of nominations commenced from March 16, while the last date for filing the nominations will be March 23. Scrutiny of the nominations will be held on March 24. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26.
