Goa Congress leader Ketan Bhatekar, who was the face of the party during the recently canceled Ponda Assembly polls, died after being bitten by a snake, police said on Friday.
The accident occurred on Thursday night when Bhattikar (38) was on his way to Dandeli village in Karnataka.
“Bhatkar came down at Carmel Ghat, on the Goa-Karnataka border, for some reason, when he was bitten by a snake. He was rushed to the primary healthcare center in Darbandura, Goa, where doctors declared him brought dead,” a police official said.
Read also | Boy loses leg after medical negligence: Goa government forms committee to prevent recurrence
Bhatikar was the Congress candidate for the Bonda by-election, which was canceled after the Supreme Court ruling. He had filed a complaint with the Supreme Court against the HC’s order through a special leave petition, which is pending before the Supreme Court.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao said he was deeply saddened by Bhattikar’s death.
“We will always remember his steadfast commitment to public service,” Alemao said. “My heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends during this time of grief. May God rest his soul in eternal peace.”
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee paid tribute to the party leader and extended condolences to the family, friends and supporters of the deceased.
“We are deeply saddened by the demise of party leader Dr Ketan Bhatkar,” a post on X read. “His unwavering dedication, commitment to public service and contribution to the party and society will always be remembered with great respect and gratitude.”
May God have mercy on him, and may the family find the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” GPCC added.
