AAP's New Candidate Shakes Up Ponda Bypoll Dynamics

The Aam Aadmi Party introduces Gitesh Naik, a local businessman and social worker from the Bahujan Samaj, as its candidate for the Ponda assembly bypolls. Naik's entry, confirmed by national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, comes amid the vacancy left by the late Ravi Naik, with polling set for April 9.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has chosen local businessman and social worker Gitesh Naik as its candidate for the Ponda assembly constituency bypoll, announced just a day after Naik joined the party. This strategic move was confirmed in the presence of AAP's national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal.

"We proudly welcome Mr. Geetesh Naik, a committed social worker from the Bahujan Samaj, into the Aam Aadmi Party. His addition is poised to fortify AAP's prospects in both Ponda and wider Goa," Kejriwal proclaimed on social media platform X. This announcement follows the Ponda seat's vacancy after former CM Ravi Naik's death, with BJP fielding Ravi's son, Ritesh Ravi Naik, as their contender.

The Ponda bypoll is slated for April 9, with results declared on May 4, as per the Election Commission of India's schedule for by-elections across eight Assembly constituencies nationwide. Voting will utilize Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems, requiring the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or other accepted identification forms at the voters' disposal. Additionally, the Model Code of Conduct is now activated, with a mandate for disclosing candidates' criminal records thrice during campaigning.