2 months ago
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Differences wrong the Congress-DMK confederation (INDIA bloc) implicit seat-sharing continued adjacent connected the past time of filing nominations connected Monday (March 23, 2026) for the April 9 Assembly polls successful Puducherry. Meanwhile, Puducherry Lok Sabha MP Vaithilingam (Congress) filed his information for the Assembly elections, prompting questions from allies implicit the decision.
There were hectic consultations betwixt the Congress and the DMK successful some Chennai and Puducherry connected Sunday (March 22). As per the directions of the All India Congress Committee, erstwhile Finance Minister P. Chidambaram held talks with DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin successful Chennai.
After the talks successful Chennai, determination were reports that the Congress had agreed to contention 16 seats successful Puducherry, leaving 12 to the DMK and 1 each to the CPI and VCK, retired of the full 30 seats successful the Union Territory. Although determination was wide statement connected the fig of seats, the parties failed to finalise the organisation of constituencies, arsenic was evident connected the time of filing nominations, with candidates of confederation partners filing papers for the aforesaid constituencies.
The constituencies successful contention are Thattanchavady, Nellithope, Kalapet, Muthialpet and Ozhukarai. While Nellithope, Kalapet, and Muthialpet were allocated to the DMK successful the erstwhile elections, Thattanchavady and Ozhukarai were allotted to the CPI and VCK respectively successful the 2021 elections.
For the 2026 polls, Congress candidates person filed nominations successful each 5 constituencies. Notable among the Congress leaders who person filed papers is Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and PCC main V. Vaithilingam, who is contesting from Thattanchavady. The DMK, CPI, and VCK person besides filed nominations successful the 5 constituencies based connected the 2021 formula.
“If determination is nary involution astatine the enactment level successful Chennai oregon Delhi, we volition extremity up successful affable fights successful 4 to 5 constituencies. There are lone 2 days near for candidates to retreat their nominations. Damage has already been done owed to the hold successful reaching a statement connected seat-sharing, and the filing of nominations from the aforesaid constituencies has created further divisions among workers of the INDIA bloc,” said a CPI leader.
‘Why fto MP Vaithilingam contest?’
The DMK and CPI leaders person besides questioned the rationale for allowing Mr. Vaithilingam to contention the Assembly polls aft INDIA bloc leaders successful Puducherry worked ‘tirelessly’ to guarantee his triumph successful the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “During the Lok Sabha polls, we had sought the lone spot to tract our candidate, but it was not fixed to us. Later, we each worked tirelessly to guarantee Mr. Vaithilingam’s victory. Two years later, helium is being fielded successful the Assembly polls. We bash not recognize the rationale down this decision,” a DMK person told The Hindu.
CPI(M) to contention alone
Though the discourse is different, different INDIA bloc member, the CPI(M), has decided to combat the elections unsocial considering the governmental factors successful the enclave of Mahe, which is nestled betwixt the towns of Thalassery and Vadakara successful Kerala.
The CPI(M)’ s governmental decisions pertaining to Mahe are traditionally aligned with the authorities of Kerala. As the Congress and CPI(M) are starring other governmental fronts successful Kerala, the Left enactment either fields its ain campaigner oregon extends enactment to Independents there.
For the 2026 polls, the Thalassery portion has decided to widen enactment to T. Ashok Kumar, an advocator contesting arsenic an Independent. The enactment has besides decided to contention in Lawspet, Muthialpet, Thirubhuvanai, and Bahour Assembly segments successful Puducherry.
