Puducherry:
The BJP-led NDA is in tatters in Puducherry as it is sharply divided over the choice of candidate. While the AINRC, with the support of the BJP, has fielded R Radhakrishnan, the PMK nominee R K R Anantharaman has filed his nomination too. The DMDK, caught in a quandary between two allies, has decided to keep away from the campaign and is maintaining equidistance from the two parties.
R Selvaraj, DMDK organiser in Puducherry, said he received a communication from the high command that both the AINRC and the PMK cannot use the name of DMDK leader Vijayakanth and party flags in their campaign.
The DMDK announcement came even as AINRC candidate R Radhakrishnan and PMK candidate R K R Anantharaman filed their nominations for the Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency. In a piquant situation, both parties claim they are contesting under the NDA banner. However, the BJP, has reiterated that the Puducherry seat has been allocated to the AINRC, but this is hotly contested by
the PMK.
The NDA is thus in total disarray and stands disintegrated in Puducherry.
On the DMDK decision, AINRC general secretary V. Bhalan said the DMDK flags and name would not be used during the campaign.
BJP president S Visweswaran said efforts to get the PMK to withdraw from the contest had not succeeded.
Meamnwhile, the Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi, one of the constituents of the NDA, has announced its support to the PMK candidate.
The decision was taken at an executive committee meeting of IJK here, which was presided over by its Puducherry organiser Sathiavel.
It said the PMK was working in tandem with the IJK and other parties in Tamil Nadu for the victory of NDA candidates. Therefore, it decided to support the PMK in Puducherry.
