PANAJI
The nomination of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Geetesh Naik for the April 9 Ponda by-election has been accepted after the Returning Officer dismissed objections raised by Congress.
The decision clears the way for Naik to contest the poll without procedural hurdles.
Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira had challenged Naik’s nomination on behalf of his party's candidate Dr Ketan Bhatikar, citing alleged discrepancies in disclosures related to a pending criminal case. He argued that the omission amounted to concealment and warranted rejection. The Returning Officer, however, ruled that such concerns did not constitute grounds for disqualification at this stage.
The ruling sparked sharp reactions from AAP leaders Valmiki Naik, Sandesh Teleikar Dessai and Advocate Surel Tilve, who accused the Congress and Alvares Ferreira of overstepping their role and attempting to block a young candidate from entering the fray. They described the objection as discriminatory and politically motivated.
AAP’s Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas went further, pledging his own political future on Geetesh Naik’s performance.
“I am putting my career on the line. If Ponda elects Geetesh and he fails to show performance in his eight-month tenure, I will bow out. I will not contest the next election from Benaulim,” Viegas told reporters after the RO's verdict accepting the nomination.
The party framed the episode as an attempt by Congress to stifle fresh voices in Goan politics. Leaders insisted that Naik’s candidature represented an opportunity for Ponda voters to embrace change.
Alvares Ferreira, meanwhile, stood firm on his position and said transparency in electoral documents is paramount. He acknowledged that the alleged omission may not be grounds for rejection but stressed that voters deserved full disclosure.
“Accuracy in documents is crucial. Accountability and transparency are key to maintaining trust in the electoral process,” he added.
The brief dispute added intensity to the Ponda bypoll, already seen as a test of strength between established parties and AAP’s presence in Goa. With Naik’s nomination now secure, the contest moves to the campaign trail, where both sides are expected to sharpen their messaging.
The April 9 election will decide who represents Ponda in the Assembly for the remainder of the current term. For AAP, the acceptance of Naik’s nomination is a boost of sorts, while the Congress insists the issue of disclosure will remain in the public eye.
