Following Ravi Naik's death, the BJP was reportedly considering fielding his son, Ritesh Naik. Around the same period, Dr Ketan Bhatikar, who had shifted from the MGP to the Congress ahead of the by-election, was nominated by the Congress. Senior Congress leader Rajesh Verenkar had campaigned in support of Bhatikar during the bypoll.

However, the Ponda by-election was later challenged before the Bombay High Court at Goa, which set aside the election. Before the matter could move further, Dr Ketan Bhatikar also passed away, leaving the constituency without two of its key political figures.

The absence of leaders such as former MLA Lavu Mamledar, former minister Ravi Naik and Dr Ketan Bhatikar has significantly altered the political landscape in Ponda, creating space for new faces ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

MGP leader and Minister Sudin Dhavalikar has already indicated that he is open to contesting from any constituency in Ponda. The BJP is also expected to weigh its options, with the name of Vishwanath alias Apoorva Dhavalikar being discussed among potential contenders.

On the Congress side, party leaders are reportedly considering Rajesh Verenkar as a possible candidate. In the 2017 Assembly election, Verenkar, then contesting as an Independent, had secured 4,529 votes in a four-cornered contest involving Ravi Naik, Sunil Dessai and Lavu Mamledar.

With BJP, Congress and MGP all expected to stake a strong claim in Ponda, the constituency is likely to witness an intense political battle in the upcoming Assembly election.