Why stakes are so high this time in tiny Puducherry: Polls to see tough fight between NDA and DMK-Congress

PUDUCHERRY: Unlike in many states going to the polls this year, there are going to be no favourites in the tiny Union Territory of Puducherry, which is set to witness a tough contest between NDA — led by All India NR Congress (AINRC) — and the DMK-Congress alliance.BJP, a junior NDA partner here, is trying to find a toehold in the Tamil-speaking Puducherry in order to spread to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which remains a Dravidian fortress.In the 30-member assembly in Puducherry, AINRC — which grew out of a Congress splinter group — has 10 MLAs, while BJP has six. For NDA, the main thrust is mainly on the popularity of chief minister N Rangasamy and BJP’s ‘double-engine’ narrative.

Rangasamy, CM since 2021, remains the central figure of Puducherry politics. NDA will have an edge if he manages to maintain his image as the ‘People’s CM’ while leveraging BJP’s central resources.BJP’s footprints in the tiny UT have grown, after some Congress and other netas joined it ahead of the 2021 polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP functionaries have visited Puducherry recently, showing how serious the party is in winning more seats here.

The opposition alliance grapples with internal leadership challenges that could impact its winning potential. While Congress has traditionally led the alliance in Puducherry, DMK has emerged as the principal opposition, with six seats (compared to Congress’s two in the outgoing assembly). DMK is now pushing for a larger share of seats, citing its “strike rate” and the popularity of the ‘Dravidian model’ in Tamil Nadu.Led by Lok Sabha MP and PPCC president V Vaithilingam and former chief minister V Narayanasamy, Congress is fighting to prove it is still the national representative, a secular force. They insist — irrespective of the number of MLAs the opposition parties have — that Congress should lead the alliance in Puducherry, as DMK does in Tamil Nadu.Vaithilingam says it is too early to share details of seatsharing. “We have briefed the party high command in Delhi about recent political developments.

We will announce details on seat-sharing once we get direction. We are discussing seat arithmetic with local DMK netas,” he adds.Leader of opposition R Siva (from DMK) says the party wants to establish a Dravidian model govt in Puducherry. “We won seats where Congress could not in the previous elections. We plan to contest about 18 to 20 seats this time and lead the alliance,” says Siva.Political observers say the opposition’s success depends on just how united they can be.

“If they finalise seat-sharing without a fallout, they can capitalise on anti-incumbency regarding issues, such as law and order and the govt’s failure in fulfilling its poll promises,” says an academic who doesn’t want to be named.In a close contest, several emerging players could act as spoilers. Actor-politician Vijay’s new party is set to make its electoral debut. Given Vijay’s fan following, TVK could garner a considerable share of votes, especially from youngsters, and that could eat into both alliances’ vote share.

Tamil nationalist Seeman’s NTK has been the first to announce candidates for 28 seats in Puducherry. NTK’s slow, yet consistent, growth makes it a third force that could decide margins.Political analysts predict NDA could retain office if it remains cohesive and runs a focused campaign. DMK’s momentum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu presents the most significant threat to Rangasamy’s dream of becoming chief minister for a fourth term.