PUDUCHERRY: The prolonged denial of full statehood has significantly impeded the development of Puducherry, said DMK Propaganda Secretary and former Union Minister S. Jagathrakshagan, MP, on Monday.
Addressing the media after launching the party’s membership drive under the slogan “Prosperous Puducherry, Strong Puducherry” across five assembly constituencies, Jagathrakshagan asserted that Puducherry had long been neglected in terms of both status and central funding.
“While other states like Goa receive thousands of crores in funds, Puducherry continues to be denied statehood,” he said.
Criticising the Puducherry government for its lack of progress, he remarked, “Not a single factory has come up in Puducherry. In contrast, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is bringing in new industries to Tamil Nadu almost every day.”
Jagathrakshagan stated that the DMK has traditionally maintained a strong base in Puducherry, and the current campaign aims to further consolidate that presence. “This is about building a strong and prosperous Puducherry,” he said, adding that the party already has at least 60 enthusiastic potential candidates for the 30 Assembly constituencies.
Commenting on alliance dynamics in the Union Territory, he clarified that any decision regarding the DMK–Congress alliance would be made solely by DMK President M.K. Stalin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “I have come here as the ambassador of DMK. Only our leader Stalin will make party-level decisions,” he asserted.
He added that it is common for DMK and Congress to hold independent protests. “Each party agitates based on its own priorities, and we come together when a joint protest becomes necessary.”
The event was presided over by Puducherry DMK Organiser and Leader of the Opposition R. Siva. Other key figures in attendance included Karaikal District Secretary and former Minister A.M.H. Nazim, former MP and Executive Committee Member C.P. Thirunavukkarasu, MLAs Anibal Kennedy, R. Senthilkumar, and L. Sampath, as well as former Minister S.P. Sivakumar.
The membership drive was inaugurated at:
Uppalam (under the leadership of former MLA Nanda Saravanan and MLA Kennedy)
Muthialpet (MLA Sampath)
Mudaliarpet (General Committee Member Karthikeyan)
Nellithope
Orleanpet (General Committee Member S. Gopal)
The initiative marks the DMK’s renewed push to bolster its presence in the Union Territory ahead of the next Assembly elections.