India, March 19 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced Ritesh Naik, son of former minister Ravi Naik, as its candidate for the upcoming by election to be held on April 9, an election necessitated after Ravi Naik who was the minister for Agriculture in the chief minister Pramod Sawant-led cabinet, passed away in October last year.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also announced candidates for the election with the former opting for Ketan Bhatikar, a physiotherapist while the AAP has chosen Geetesh Naik, a local businessman.

Speaking after being granted a ticket, Ritesh Naik thanked the party.

"This is an opportunity to take my father's work forward. I'm confident that people who supported my father over the ...