*Pics will be sent via whatsapp.**At Bhatikar’s Congress induction event, leaders blame BJP for landconversion law, Ponda hospital lacking.*Tuesday, 24 February 2026.TNNPONDA : Former Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party activist Ketan Bhatikarinducted in Congress in a magnificent and splendid ceremony held at amarket yard hall on the outskirts of Ponda town on Tuesday evening.At Bhatikar’s Congress induction event, while Congress Goa desk inchargeblamed BJP for land conversion law, Goan leaders hold the ruling alliancegovernment responsible for lacking at the Ponda Sub-district hospital.Congress’ Goa in-charge Manikrao Thackeray said that the law and ordersituation in Goa is at its worst, and the BJP government in power in thestate is interested in money making and has looted the people by changingland laws for the sake of money.Manikrao Thackeray was speaking after inducting thephysiotherapist-turned-politician Ketan Bhatikar into Congress fold,Congress’ Goa desk Co-incharge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Leader of OppositionYuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Elton DCosta, State President Amit Patkar, Congressleader Rajesh Verenkar, Ponda block President William Aguiar and otherCongress office bearers were among those present on the dais.Manikrao Thackeray said that Goa is in a state of disrepair under the BJPrule. BJP only cares about money, due to which there is chaos in the statetoday. There are protests everywhere, that is why it is necessary to bringCongress in power while expelling BJP from Goa, that is why Ketan Bhatikarhas joined the party and appealed to strengthen the Congress party throughthe organized efforts and cooperation of all.He appealed to the Goans to support Rahul Gandhi, who has worked witheveryone.Dr Anjali Nimbalkar said that the BJP government is running a dictatorshipin Goa. BJP is doing politics in the name of caste and religion. Sayingthat the Congress, which takes all castes and religions along with it,should now take charge of Goa, Nimbalkar said that whoever cooperates withthe Congress will be allowed to join the party.Yuri Alemao said that the BJP government in the state has turned the Goansinto unemployed. There is no employment, no facilities, due to which thelocal youth has become helpless. This needs to change somewhere, so let’sall make a concerted effort to get the Congress elected, Alemao said.MLA Elton DCosta said that it is time to send the corrupt BJP back home andlet us unite to teach a lesson to the BJP.Amit Patkar also accused the BJP government of creating chaos everywherewhile criticizing it.Rajesh Verenkar said that the Congress workers supported the party in Pondain adverse circumstances, which is why the Congress isVerenkar said that the Congress’ work is reaching the grassroots leveltoday. He appealed to Ketan Bhatikar to adopt this political policy of theCongress.Ketan Bhatikar said that the BJP has taken the brunt of the Pondaby-election, which is why the Chief Minister is coming again and again inPonda.Ketan Bhatikar said that he will always be with the Congress, which takeseveryone along.Aguiar welcomed the dignitaries. Senior vice president M K Shaikh competedthe event while John Pereira proposed a vote of thanks.
