2 months ago
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Puducherry’s electoral scenery for the April 9 Assembly elections got murkier, alternatively than linear, with the expiry of the deadline for withdrawal of nominations connected Thursday, producing a bewildering script of “friendly fights” successful the INDIA bloc crossed cardinal constituencies; pro-NDA Independents switching camps; and rebel campaigner menace successful a fewer seats.
According to the Election Department, 294 contestants, bulk Independents, remained successful the fray. Originally 514 nominations were received.
In the NDA, the AINRC is contesting 16 seats leaving 14 to the BJP. The second has allotted 2 seats each to the AIADMK and LJK.
As portion of the knowing successful the INDIA bloc, the Congress’s stock was 16 with 14 near for the DMK, which earmarked 1 spot to the VCK.
However, the Congress has ended up pitting itself against the DMK, successful Karaikal South, Kalapet, Raj Bhavan, Mangalam and Thirubhuvanai (SC). It was yet to merchandise it authoritative database of candidates and its nominees were successful the fray adjacent successful seats of the Left parties and VCK.
Congress leaders person openly backed the conception of what it calls “friendly fights”. In fact, recently, AICC spokesperson Dolly Sharma hinted astatine allies having a ‘friendly fight’ successful astir 6 seats.
An upset VCK has fielded candidates successful 3 seats, including the allocated one.
VCK laminitis Thol. Thirumavalavan, connected Thursday announced candidates for Ozhukarai, Oussudu (SC) and Nettapakkam (SC). He said the functionaries were annoyed implicit the Congress’ refusal to retreat its campaigner from the allocated Ozhukarai seat.
Mr. Thirumavalavan besides flayed the Congress for fielding a campaigner (M. Sivasankar) who, according to him, was until precocious affiliated with the BJP-RSS. “The Congress’s attack is not lone affecting the VCK but was besides putting the wide chances of triumph for the full confederation successful question.” helium posted connected X.
Meanwhile, the CPI (M) announced it was contested successful 2 seats and enactment an Independent successful Mahe. The CPI has fielded 1 campaigner and extended enactment to to CPI (M), VCK and SUCI.
Reports besides bespeak the electoral conflict for the 5 Assembly seats successful Karaikal is witnessing a clutch of rebel candidates from some fronts.
The problems for the NDA look acold little concerning though pro-NDA Independent legislators are present connected the different broadside of the electoral conflict - G. Nehru whose newly-formed Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NMK) has allied with the TVK for the Orleanpet and Thattanchavady, and P. Angalane joining the DMK to contention from Thirubhuvanai.
