The political atmosphere in Puducherry is charged as the Union Territory prepares for the Lok Sabha elections set for tomorrow. This first phase of the seven-phased national elections brings to the forefront a prolonged debate over the full statehood for Puducherry, a key electoral issue contested fiercely by both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.
Throughout the campaign, the BJP has been critical of the Congress, asserting that during its tenure at the Centre, it failed to grant Puducherry the full statehood status it deserved.
Leaders from the ruling BJP, including Puducherry’s Home Minister Namassivayam and BJP president S Selvaganabathy, have been vocal in their criticism, accusing the Congress of neglect during its years in power. Selvaganabathy has pointedly blamed the Congress for stalling on this demand when they had the opportunity to address it.
In response, the Congress has retaliated by highlighting their commitment to granting full statehood as outlined in their 'Nyay Patra' manifesto. They argue that the BJP, despite being in power for the last decade, has also not taken any substantial steps towards fulfilling this demand for statehood.
At a recent rally, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress national president, promised that full statehood would be granted to Puducherry if the INDIA bloc is elected to power, criticising the BJP for omitting this promise from their manifesto.
Despite the heated exchanges, there's a general perception that neither party may push the statehood agenda beyond campaign rhetoric. However, both parties continue to leverage this issue to galvanise support among the electorate, with the BJP focusing on their development efforts in Puducherry and its regions—Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam—while the Congress pledges to prioritise full statehood.
Former Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy of the Congress has also been a prominent voice, advocating for statehood as a priority should they come to power. This issue, alongside other local concerns, has dominated the discourse, shaping a bitter campaign trail laden with political mud-slinging.
As Puducherry goes to the polls along with all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in this first phase, the electorate's verdict will soon reveal the future political landscape of the Union Territory, especially regarding its statehood status.
The results of these elections, conducted across 543 constituencies nationwide from April 19 to June 1, will be eagerly awaited, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.
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