Ahead of April 9 Puducherry poll, PM Narendra Modi holds road show

PUDUCHERRY: With just five days to go for polling in Puducherry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in the Union territory on Friday, consolidating support for NDA candidates and energising BJP cadres.

Though Modi chose not to deliver a speech, the roadshow gave a momentum to the final leg of the campaign in Puducherry which goes to polls on April 9. In a vehicle, decked up with flowers, Modi passed through the arterial stretch of the coastal town waving hands at the public who had gathered on either side of the road. He was accompanied on the vehicle by AINRC founder and chief minister N Rangasamy and BJP leaders including home minister A Namassivayam, who had earlier received him at Puducherry airport. The roadshow started from Atithi signal and culminated at Raja Theatre signal. BJP leaders said the roadshow has turned out to be a morale booster for NDA cadres, particularly in key constituencies like Thattanchavady, where N Rangasamy is contesting. BJP functionaries say even small swings in vote share can influence outcomes in the 30-member assembly of the union territory and the PM's visit would play a key role in swaying votes towards NDA.

While BJP is contesting 10 seats, AINRC is in the fray in 16 constituencies to AINRC while AIADMK and LJK are contesting two seats each. On the other side, Congress is contesting 16 seats and DMK 14, while ally VCK has opted to go solo in three constituencies. Both alliances have intensified campaigns over the past few days as direct reach out to voters play a key role in deciding the outcome more than the alliance arithmetic.