Hyderabad, May 15: A Congress leader from Goa died after allegedly suffering a snakebite near the Goa Karnataka border late Thursday night, triggering shock among party leaders and supporters.
The deceased was identified as Ketan Bhatikar, 38, a Congress leader who had recently contested as the party candidate for the cancelled Ponda Assembly by election.
According to reports, Ketan Bhatikar was travelling by car towards Dandeli village in Karnataka on Thursday night.
During the journey, he reportedly got down from the vehicle near Karmal Ghat at the Goa Karnataka border when a snake allegedly bit him.
Family members and associates immediately shifted him to a Primary Health Centre in Dharbandora, Goa.
However, doctors who examined him declared him dead on arrival.
The sudden death of the Congress leader created grief among local political circles in Goa.
Ketan Bhatikar had emerged as the Congress candidate for the Ponda Assembly by election that was scheduled after the death of sitting BJP MLA Ravi Nayak on October 15, 2025.
However, the Bombay High Court Goa bench later cancelled the by election notification issued by the Election Commission.
The High Court observed that the Assembly term was nearing completion and less than one year remained for the tenure to end.
Following the verdict, the by election process in Ponda was halted.
Sources said Ketan Bhatikar had challenged the High Court decision in the Supreme Court of India through a special leave petition, which is currently pending.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee expressed deep condolences over his death and described it as a major loss for the party.
Party leaders and supporters paid tributes to the young Congress leader and conveyed sympathy to his family members.
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