The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is caught between the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) over the allocation of Puducherry seat in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Saturday apprised the PMK of its position.
M. Visweswaran, president of the BJP’s local unit, spoke to his PMK counterpart R.K.R. Anandaraman when he called on him to seek the support of the BJP for his candidature.
Both discussed the political developments after BJP national president Rajnath Singh had a meeting with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy recently.
Pointing to the announcement made by Mr. Singh that the Puducherry seat had been allotted to the AINRC, Mr. Viswesaran told The Hindu that he had clearly conveyed the party’s stand and explained the “ground realities” to Mr. Anandaraman. The PMK had no other option than accepting the BJP high command’s decision.
Stating that NDA cadre had started interacting with one another, Mr. Visweswaran said that there were signs of breaking the impasse in the NDA camp. All alliance partners would accept the candidature of AINRC for Puducherry seat, he hoped.
Meanwhile, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK)’s Puducherry unit has also said that it would take a decision on supporting the AINRC candidate after consulting their leadership. This was conveyed to a team of AINRC, when the team members called on DMDK organiser Selvam.
He was reportedly peeved at the way the party was treated after the AINRC became victorious in the Puducherry Assembly elections in 2011 with the support of the AIADMK and the DMDK.
Mr. Selvam said that his party had not been given due respect by the Chief Minister. He did not even thank the DMDK for ensuring victory in the Assembly elections.
However, AINRC sources said that these were all “minor issues” and would be sorted out shortly. Meanwhile, the party has announced constituency-wise leaders to coordinate campaign in all 30 Assembly segments of the Union Territory.
