PONDA: Ponda MLA Ravi Naik on Wednesday took everyone by surprise by stating that he plans to contest from the Marcaim constituency as Independent candidate during the 2022 Assembly elections.
The Congress MLA’s statement could dent the party’s hopes and has raised many an eyebrow in Ponda with Marcaim locals expressing surprise over his remark.
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Addressing media persons, Naik said, “If need arises I may even contest from Shiroda or Ponda. However, I will not contest from Priol where Minister Govind Gaude is representing as Independent.”
He said, “Individual work for the society matters the most and parties are just for namesake. The party and its symbol don’t work. I will visit voters as Ravi Naik. People recognise me through my work. As individual, I fought in SC to provide justice to tenants and mundkars in Goa. Though the Act was passed in favour of tenants and mundkars, political leaders have still failed to remove fear among the tenants that was prevailing during the Portuguese era and hence many tenants have failed to derive benefit from the Act.”
Naik said, “When I was the Marcaim MLA I carried out a lot of development works but except for these no development has taken place in the constituency.”
It is pertinent to note that Naik’s statement is seen as move to keep a check on his rival Sudin Dhavalikar, who may contest from Ponda by fielding his son Mithil in Marcaim.
According to political pundits, Ravi wishes his son to become an MLA and there are speculations that his son Ritesh, who joined BJP, will get saffron party ticket from Ponda. And this could lead to a fight between Sudin and Ritesh. To prevent Sudin’s entry in Ponda and restrict him to Marcaim there are speculations that Ravi may contest in Marcaim to ensure his son’s victory in Ponda.
According to Pondaites, politicians from various parties in Ponda through their statements at press briefings are trying to feel public sentiments and their reactions which could help them plan their strategy.
