Congress vs BJP locked in high-voltage battle for lone Puducherry seat

Incumbent Congress candidate V Vaithilingam (L) takes on A Namassivayam in Puducherry

The Union Territory of Puducherry in the east coast, surrounded by Tamil Nadu, usually opts to elect a national party candidate, preferably in alignment with the ruling dispensation at the Centre. It is, therefore, the national parties that battle it out for the lone Parliament seat.

The scene will be no different on Friday when the incumbent Congress candidate V Vaithilingam takes on A Namassivayam of the BJP in a tough fight to retain the Lok Sabha seat of Puducherry. The AIADMK too has pitted its candidate from the fishing community, G Thamizhvendhan against the two front runners. NTK has fielded R Menaga. There are three other smaller parties contesting, along with 19 independent candidates.

This constituency comprises 30 Assembly segments, including 23 in Puducherry main region, five in Karaikal (TN) and one each in Yanam (AP) and Mahe (Kerala). In 2021, All India NR Congress (AINRC) won the Assembly election in alliance with the BJP and has since shared power with the national party.

Namassivayam is the Home Minister in the Chief Minister N Rangaswamy cabinet and wields considerable influence. If he wins he would be out of Rangaswamy cabinet. The BJP had earlier pitched for Namassivayam, a former Congressman (former PCC president) who comes from Rangaswamy’s family, to be made the Deputy Chief Minister, which did not materialise. Rangaswamy, trying to keep out potential rivals from his ally, the BJP, has been the key campaigner for Namassivayam.

The Union Territory depends on funds from the Centre and while campaigning, Rangaswamy stressed on this point during campaigning, saying that if Namassivayam wins it would be easy to get the funds.

Congress candidate Vaithilingam, who defeated AINRC candidate by a margin of 1.97 lakh votes in 2019 election, is backed by its allies DMK and VCK. Formerly a Congress bastion, Vaithilingam is fighting hard to defend it. At the age of 40 he was the second -youngest Chief Minister to serve Puducherry (1991-96). He was also the Chief Minister from 2008-11.

The issue of statehood is raked up every election. But, a key issue directly affecting the masses this time is the closure of ration shops.

But what matters is the desire of the people to be on the right side of the party ruling at the Centre. The BJP candidate will have the advantage if he is able to reinforce the perception that his party will return to power for a third term under Narendra Modi.