Three days after Home Minister Amit Shah kick-started the party campaign on 14th February with a public meeting at Karaikal, things are looking rosy for the NDA regime in Puducherry. Chief Minister N Rangaswamy on Tuesday made it clear that the N R Congress-BJP alliance would continue.
Alliance to stay for 2026 Assembly polls (Image Source: Internet)
Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswamy on Tuesday announced that the N R Congress-BJP alliance, which was stitched together in 2021, will continue for the 2026 Assembly polls on a day Union Minister Amit Shah appealed to the people of the Union Territory to give the NDA government “another chance.”
The Chief Minister said, “N R Congress’ alliance with the BJP continues. We will fight the polls together. We will discuss the modalities of the alliance in due course.” The announcement puts an end to speculation that Rangaswamy was mulling leaving the NDA and fighting the polls along with Tamila Vetri Kazhagam led by actor-politician Vijay, who commands a huge fan following in the Union Territory as well.
Sources said that Rangaswamy told Amit Shah that the alliance will continue and that leaders of both parties will sit together and conclude seat-sharing talks at the earliest. The Home Minister is learnt to have assured the Chief Minister that greater autonomy to the Union Territory will continue and his authority would be respected.
Both leaders, last weekend, are learnt to have discussed developmental initiatives, including the Essar Group starting a laptop manufacturing unit, reviving the textile sector, support to the fisheries sector in accessing global markets, promoting information technology and data centres, and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth.
The Chief Minister said that he would welcome a double engine government in Puducherry. He said that the NDA had secured about 44% of the vote share and won 16 of the 30 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections and expressed confidence that NR Congress, BJP and AIADMK would continue together, improve their vote share to 60%, and win 24 constituencies.
Rangaswamy alleged that the previous Congress government led by V Narayanasamy indulged in rampant corruption, besides administrative irregularities and disrespect towards SCs and STs.
