Team Goemkarponn
PONDA: With the Ponda by-election scheduled for April 9 approaching fast, a key question remains — will the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) contest the polls?
Even as BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have already announced their candidates, the RGP continues to deliberate internally, keeping its strategy under wraps.
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), meanwhile, has extended its support to the BJP candidate.
RGP MLA Viresh Borkar said the party is still consulting its workers and leaders, with a final decision expected after a core committee meeting slated for Friday.
Initial feedback, he noted, shows a strong push from within the party to enter the contest.
“Many of our workers want the party to contest, but no final decision has been taken yet,” Borkar said.
He also ruled out any possibility of a pre-poll alliance, stating that the party is not in talks with any other political formation. This effectively puts to rest speculation about a potential understanding with AAP for the Ponda seat.
The RGP had secured nearly seven per cent vote share in Ponda during the 2022 Assembly elections, a factor that has encouraged sections within the party to push for an independent run this time.
As the political temperature rises, all eyes are now on the RGP’s upcoming meeting, which will answer the crucial question — will the party step into the Ponda bypoll race or stay out?
