Puducherry Assembly Election: Full statehood, clipping LG's wings, corruption and more - Key poll issues of UT
The BJP, in its campaign, launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. PM Modi said that 'no ticket' to former CM was an indication of the 'disaster' Narayanasamy government was.
PM Modi targetted the Narayanasamy government over lack of development and corruption (File photo) | Photo Credit: PTI
Puducherry: Puducherry is all slated to face the poll ballot on April 6, in a single-phase election. Underlining the importance of the Union Territory in Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) endeavour to increase its footprints in the south, PM Narendra Modi held two rallies in Puducherry and gave a slogan that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will work 'BEST' for the Union Territory.
If the voices of various parties are to be carefully listened to, it emerges that employment/ job creation, power tariffs, governance, corruption and the long-pending demand for a full statehood could be the key issues that could make or break the fate of political parties in Puducherry.
Corruption
The BJP has launched a scathing attack on the now-defunct Narayanasamy government for not fulfilling the poll promises made during the previous elections. PM slammed the Congress 'high-command in Delhi' while questioning the development carried out by the Narayanasamy government in the UT.
"So many years of loyalty. Lifting slippers of his leader. Doing wrong translations to impress his leader. Still, no ticket. This clearly shows how much of a disaster his government has turned out to be," the PM said while slamming the now-defunct Congress government.
BJP bats for development politics
Given that the state is headless, after the resignation of Narayanasamy, governance could be another crucial matter Puducherry would vote for.
One of the key issues that vehemently cropped up during the tenure of Kiran Bedi as L-G was the clashes between her office and the elected government. Clipping the powers of the L-G office has been a regular feature at election manifestos in the UT. Whether that gets re-floated with a new promise will also be crucial.
"NDA will work to make Best Puducherry. By Best, I mean Business Hub. Education Hub. Spiritual Hub. Tourism Hub," PM Modi said in a rally on March 30, underlining BJP's agenda for the southern UT.
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Full statehood
In the 2016 Assembly polls, the Congress party had promised full statehood to Puducherry, a promise that remains unfulfilled. Last week, DMK chief Stalin targetted PM Modi and questioned why he did not make any reference to full statehood for Puducherry.
"The Prime Minister has not made any announcement on grant of statehood for Puducherry and also a waiver of loans totalling Rs 8,600 crore due from the Union Territory to the Centre," Stalin said
While the BJP has been highlighting central welfare schemes to woo voters besides other promises, parties have promised freebies such as ration, monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to housewives, loan waivers to name a few. Whether the showering of goodies helps galvanise votes remains to be seen.
Puducherry polls: In a nutshell
382 candidates are in the fray in the elections for the 30-seater Assembly of the Union Territory. Former chief minister N Rangasamy, former ministers Shajahan, Kamalakannan, Namasivayam, Kandasamy are among the main faces that will be watched out for in the polls. Ex-CM Narayanasamy has already clarified that he will be focusing on the campaign, and will not contest the elections.
The All India NR Congress, which is contesting in alliance with the BJP, will be fighting on 16 of the 30 seats, leaving nine for the BJP and five for the AIADMK.
Puducherry goes to the polls on April 6, the third phase of elections. The counting of votes in the four States and the Union Territory will take place on May 2.