By Rupesh Samant
Ponda: After the demise of Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, all eyes are now on the Ponda Assembly constituency, which will soon head for a by-election.
Having ruled the constituency for nearly four decades with an iron grip and grassroots connect, Ravi Naik leaves behind a significant political vacuum — and the big question is whether his sons, Ritesh or Roy, can carry forward his legacy.
Unlike many political heirs, Ravi Naik had not inherited his influence; he built it through meticulous planning, hard work, and a personal bond with his voters. Both his sons, however, are perceived as lacking those traits — being born into political privilege rather than earning their way up.
While there is growing talk that Ritesh Naik should be given the BJP ticket, the key question remains: can he secure victory if pitted against a strong and prepared opponent like Dr Ketan Bhatikar, who has remained active in the field without taking a break?
Bhatikar, who narrowly lost the 2022 elections, had told Goa News Hub a day after the results that he was already preparing for 2027. His consistent grassroots presence gives him an edge that few can match.
On the Congress side, Rajesh Verenkar is likely to be in the fray, but it remains to be seen whether he is battle-ready for the upcoming contest.
Another pressing question is whether the BJP’s core cadre in Ponda will accept Ritesh or Roy. Ravi Naik was a long-time rival of the BJP in Ponda until he joined the party in 2021. The constituency has traditionally had a strong BJP base, and many loyalists had expected a local candidate from within the cadre to be fielded.
The emergence of young BJP leader Apurv Dalvi had fuelled that hope. Dalvi has been active in municipal politics and was seen supporting Ravi Naik during his campaign. His popularity stems from his accessibility, youth appeal, and deep-rooted party loyalty — qualities that resonate with the grassroots.
Within BJP circles, there are now two schools of thought. One supports fielding Ritesh Naik to continue his father’s legacy; the other favours giving a chance to emerging leaders like Dalvi, to reinforce the BJP’s stated stance against “family raj.”
The party’s past experiences also serve as a cautionary tale. When former minister Mathany Saldanha passed away, the BJP had fielded his wife Alina in the by-election. While she won initially, the party eventually lost the constituency in the subsequent election.
Whether Ponda will follow a similar script or witness a generational shift driven by merit and grassroots connect will determine not just the by-election outcome but also the political tone for 2027.
