Digital Goa, October 15 – A vacancy has been created in the Ponda constituency just one and a half years ahead of the assembly elections, following the passing of Agriculture Minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik last night. The process of filling this vacancy through a by-election is expected to begin immediately, and the seat is likely to be filled within the next six months. There is speculation that the BJP may field one of Ravi Naik’s sons as its candidate in the by-election; both his sons, Roy and Ritesh Naik, are sitting councillors in the Ponda Municipal Council. Ravi Naik’s death has also left a vacancy in the state cabinet, where he served as a senior member in the Pramod Sawant government. It remains to be seen who will be chosen to fill that cabinet position in the coming days. Incidentally, Goa Legislature Secretariat has issued a notification stating that due to demise of Naik who was elected Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly from 21—Ponda Constituency, his seat in the Goa Legislative Assembly has become vacant with effect from Oct 15.
