Geetesh Naik is AAP’s pick for Ponda byelection

Panaji: AAP has picked Geetesh Naik as the party’s candidate for the upcoming byelection to the Ponda assembly seat. Naik will face off against BJP candidate Ritesh Naik and Congress’ Ketan Bhatikar.

AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal inducted Geetesh into the party on Wednesday. Kejriwal said Geetesh will be AAP’s third MLA in the Goa assembly.

Geetesh said that just as AAP ensured healthcare services in Punjab and Delhi, he would aim to improve the service at the Ponda sub-district hospital. “Ponda does not have a blood bank, the ID hospital does not have the required facilities. I want to raise and resolve these issues over the next two to three months,” he said.

AAP’s decision to field a candidate for the bypoll exposes the faultlines in opposition ranks.

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas has been vociferously calling for an opposition alliance in Goa. However, AAP’s move to enter the fray in Ponda has added to political discourse that AAP will split the non-BJP vote. “The party that was talking about a united opposition has announced a candidate against the main opposition party,” said GFP chief Vijai Sardesai. “Where is the unity?”

Geetesh, who is not a registered voter in Ponda, disagrees. “The Bhandari community has decided they will stand behind a candidate from the community. Nobody wants family raj,” he said.