PANAJI
Congress’s new inductee and its candidate for the upcoming Ponda by-election, Ketan Bhatikar, has expressed confidence of a comfortable victory, banking on the party’s traditional vote base as well as his personal support network in the constituency.
Bhatikar, who had contested the 2022 Assembly elections on a Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) ticket, had narrowly lost by just 77 votes. Former minister late Ravi Naik had secured 7,514 votes, edging past Bhatikar, who polled 7,437 votes, while Congress had garnered 6,839 votes.
With the BJP now in alliance with MGP”unlike in 2022, when the two parties fought independently”Bhatikar believes the dynamics still favour him.
“It is not about being confident or overconfident, but I feel I will have smooth sailing. Congress has a strong base in Ponda and my voters have remained intact irrespective of which party I contest from,” Bhatikar said.
He asserted that his performance in 2022 was not solely due to the MGP symbol but also his individual connect with voters. “Those votes were mine as well. My supporters will remain with me,” he added.
Bhatikar, along with Congress workers and supporters, has already begun active campaigning across the constituency and is set to file his nomination on March 23.
On internal party unity, Bhatikar dismissed concerns, stating that local Congress leaders are backing him. “Rajesh Verekar has extended his support. There are no differences”we are united and will work together to defeat the BJP,” he said.
The 2022 election had witnessed a tight three-cornered contest, with a narrow margin separating the top contenders. The BJP secured 29.1% of the vote share, followed closely by MGP with 28.8% and Congress with 26.5%, underscoring the competitive nature of the Ponda seat.
