The death of politician Ketan Bhatikar snuffed out a blooming political career
Death is a sad occurrence as it is parting forever, with the very physical existence of the dying person terminated permanently. The memories and the deeds of the departed person are the only things left behind. The Japanese writer Haruki Murakami once stated that “Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” So true! However, the mode of its arrival significantly matter. The death of the state Congress leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar under very tragic circumstances is a poignant end to a blooming political career.
A physiotherapist by profession, Bhatikar reportedly died after being bitten by a venomous snake, near the Goa-Karnataka border. He was returning from Dandeli. The poison spread rapidly through his body, making him unconscious soon after the incident. Although he was rushed to the primary health centre at Dharbandora for emergency treatment, doctors at the facility declared him brought dead upon arrival. The death sent shockwaves across Goa; a large number of political leaders, members of the medical fraternity, supporters and well-wishers rushed to Dr Bhatikar’s house and later attended his funeral. This shows people’s love and affection garnered by him over the years.
An emerging political face in the state, Dr Bhatikar appeared like a comet on the Goan political firmament when he contesting the 2017 state Assembly elections as a candidate for the Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) in the Panaji constituency. He replaced Krishnaraj Sukerkar, an aide of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rebel leader Subhash Velingkar and contested from the capital city. Dr Bhatikar, who was the then physiotherapist of Goa Cricket Association (GCA), represented the grand alliance of GSM, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Shiv Sena. He eventually lost to Sidharth Kuncalienker of the Bharatiya Janata Party by polling only 318 votes.
The electoral setback did not deter Dr Bhatikar from continuing in politics. He joined the MGP and the senior leader of the party Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar became his political guru, providing him with not only advice from time to time but also financial backing. When Ravi Naik left the Congress and contested Assembly elections from Ponda constituency as a BJP candidate, Dr Bhatikar gave him a tough time. Naik managed to win the poll with a wafer-thin margin of 77 votes. This was due to the groundwork done by Dr Bhatikar, wherein he had not only helped residents of Ponda during the Covid pandemic but also attracted the traditional voters of Naik on his sides by helping them from time to time.
Earlier this year, Dr Bhatikar joined the Congress in spite of the discontent within the party over his induction. He was the Congress candidate for the Ponda byelection, which was subsequently cancelled following a High Court verdict. He had moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order through a special leave petition. Hours after Dr Bhatikar’s death, the Supreme Court on Friday closed the plea challenging the High Court order to cancel the Ponda Assembly bypoll. Political analysts were of the opinion that Dr Bhatikar would have won the byelection had it taken place.
The intervening Thursday-Friday night snakebite nipped a flourishing political career in the bud. Dr Bhatikar, who contributed ably to the sectors of social service, health and politics, could have become an efficient public representative. He had the capability to fill the void created by the passing of Ravi Naik. Unfortunately, destiny did not provide him that opportunity. Dr Bhatikar, who had not even completed half century of his life, will now be a fond memory in the minds of the Goans.
