Team Goemkarponn
PONDA: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged a “political setting” between BJP, MGP and Congress in the ongoing Ponda by-poll, claiming that leaders linked to MGP were simultaneously campaigning for a Congress candidate.
AAP State President, along with Senior Vice President Sandesh Teleikar Dessai, addressed the media and presented what they described as “concrete proof” of overlapping political activity. According to AAP, during an MGP meeting held at Nandanvan in Ponda in support of BJP candidate Ritesh Naik, at least four attendees — former MGP ZP member Priya Chari, MGP Block President Manguesh Kundaikar, councillor Geetali Talauliker and Raju Kavlekar — were also seen actively campaigning for Congress candidate Ketan Bhatikar since the start of his campaign.
AAP termed the development a blatant attempt to mislead voters, questioning how individuals associated with MGP and supporting the BJP candidate were simultaneously working on the ground for a Congress nominee.
“This is a political setting by the BJP for post-election defection,” Sandesh Teleikar Dessai alleged, adding that the arrangement indicated a pre-planned understanding among parties.
AAP further claimed that if elected, Ketan Bhatikar would defect to the BJP, thereby “fooling the voters.” The party appealed to the electorate in Ponda to reject both BJP-backed candidates and support AAP, which it described as the only credible alternative promising “honest politics.”
