Goa: Congress's Ponda MLA’s sons join BJP

PANAJI: Ponda legislator Ravi Naik’s sons Ritesh and Roy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday along with two members of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Anand Naik and William Aguiar.
Ritesh is likely to become the next chairperson of the civic body.
Speaking to media persons, BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said, “This Roy is not the one against whom allegations were made for involvement in drug cases.”
Senior leaders of BJP including Union ayush minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and party office-bearers from Ponda constituency were present at the joining event. A panch member of the Curti-Khandepar village panchayat has also joined the fold.
With the joining of Ritesh and two of the councilors, the strength of BJP in the 15-member Ponda council now stands at seven.
Tanavade said that during the few days, both had evinced keen interest in joining the fold. He said that now even tall leaders of Congress have started joining the BJP.
Tanavade said as the BJP is ruling at the Centre and in state too, a lot of people want to join. “I welcome them and hopeful that they will carry out party activities further,” he said.
State BJP chief said they have not given any offer for the duo to join BJP. “They felt that they should work in a good party where they have a better future,” he said.