Ponda: The nomination process for the upcoming Ponda by-election concluded on Monday, with the BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filing papers amid a strong show of support. Polling is scheduled for April 9.
BJP candidate Ritesh Naik filed his nomination in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Several senior party leaders were also present, including Power Minister and Marcaim MLA Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, Water Resources Minister and Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar, Priol MLA Govind Gaude, BJP Goa president Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik, and Ponda Municipal Council chairperson Veerendra Dhavalikar.
“BJP will retain the Ponda seat with a sizeable margin and late Ravi Naik’s vision for Ponda will be fulfilled,” Sawant said.
said that Congress candidate Ketan Bhatikar was not originally from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), but was a product of the Bhasha Suraksha Mandal, whereas late Ravi Naik was initially an MGP member.
Ahead of the nomination process, Sawant visited senior BJP leader Vishwanath Dalvi at his residence in Khadpabandh.
Dalvi had expressed resentment over not being given the ticket. After
the Chief Minister’s intervention on Sunday, he extended support to Ritesh’s candidature.
Large crowds of party workers led to chaotic scenes at the venue, with police struggling to manage the influx as leaders and supporters from multiple parties gathered simultaneously.
The situation briefly went out of control when Sawant arrived at the venue along with senior BJP leaders. At the same time, prominent leaders and candidates from Congress and AAP also reached the venue.
