Puducherry polls: CM candidates cross swords in Thattanchavady

PUDUCHERRY: Among the 30 assembly constituencies in Puducherry, all eyes are on Thattanchavady segment as two chief ministerial candidates - AINRC's N Rangasamy and Congress V Vaithilingam - cross swords. Both share a remarkable political trajectory. They started their careers with a defeat, followed by decades of undefeated streaks. Both won eight times (Rangasamy contested in two constituencies in 2011 and won both, and again in two constituencies in 2021 and won one and lost the other), while Vaithilingam won six times from Nettapakkam and twice in Kamaraj Nagar. Only one can continue the winning streak this time.Political leaders say Thattanchavady has long held the label of being a "chief minister's constituency." Rangasamy secured four consecutive victories here (1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006) before moving to other seats. He returned to Thattanchavady in 2021 and won.

Critics, however, point out that despite its status, the constituency lacks basic infrastructure, which might sway voters against him.Vaithilingam, too faces significant hurdles: major allies, including CPI, CPM, and VCK, have openly declared they will not campaign for Congress, citing dissatisfaction with the seat-sharing process.

DMK, a crucial partner, has remained largely passive, forcing Vaithilingam to rely almost entirely on his personal influence and Congress machinery.Rangasamy wants to capitalize on the visible cracks within INDIA bloc. He is portraying the opposition as a "confused house" incapable of providing stable governance.Meanwhile, Vaithilingam focuses on the alleged failures of govt. "The recent fake drug manufacturing scandal, the lack of development in Thattanchavady's industrial estate, and Union govt's delay in granting statehood show the inefficiency of the govt,'' says a Congress leader.Political analyst Vai Bala, alias V Balasubramanian, said AINRC could have contested independently, without aligning with BJP, to gain greater mileage. "This time it will be tough for Rangasamy. He is facing a Congress heavyweight in his own bastion. Rangasamy could not fulfil the demands of people seeking employment for the past 10 years and there is an anti-incumbency wave," he said.