India, Feb. 20 -- Ponda Block Congress Committee fired off a letter to AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare, fiercely opposing Dr. Ketan Bhatikar's proposed entry and rumored bypoll ticket.

Ponda Block Congress Committee fired off a letter to AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare, fiercely opposing Dr. Ketan Bhatikar's proposed entry and rumored bypoll ticket.

Local leaders back Rajesh Verenkar, crediting him for rebuilding after Ravi Naik's 2021 defection, narrowly losing 2022 by 690 votes, then boosting 2024 shares.

They slam Bhatikar's RSS past, BJP ties raising defection fears, and pending criminal cases as deal-breakers.

"Consultations are eyewash," they charge, after Bhatikar's public February 24 join announcement, demanding an urg...