PUDUCHERRY: A “friendly contest” between INDIA allies in some constituencies, particularly between the Congress and the DMK, is clouding the prospects of the alliance in the Assembly election in Puducherry.
The two major parties will be pitted against each other in least six constituencies in Union Territory, unless their candidates withdraw their nominations on the final day of withdrawal (March 26). The candidates, however, have already started campaigning against each other.
The delay in seat-share arrangement, which materialised only after the end of deadline to file nominations, has led to this piquant situation. The alliance settled on a formula for the 30-member Assembly, with the Congress contesting 16 seats and the DMK and allies (including VCK and Left parties) sharing the remaining 14. The DMK announced candidates for 13 constituencies and allotted Ozhukarai to the VCK. But candidates of both the parties had already filed nominations in constituencies where no consensus could be reached.
Congress candidates currently in the race in constituencies allotted to the DMK include former minister MOHF Shahjahan (Kalapet), R Kumaran (Raj Bhavan), Ragupathy (Mangalam), K Velu (Thirubuvanai) and Sakthivel Prabhu (Karaikal South). They have already begun campaigning despite instructions from party leadership to withdraw.
Only in Nellithope, Congress nominee Anandbabu Natarajan indicated willingness to withdraw his papers. Filing of nominations by VCK, CPM and CPI in constituencies allotted to Congress and DMK had added to the confusion.
The CPI filed nominations in two constituencies — Thattanchavady, allotted to the Congress, and Ozhukarai allotted to the VCK.
VCK candidates have filed papers in three constituencies — Oussudu and Nettapakkam allotted to Congress and Ozhukarai (allotted to VCK). The CPM filed papers in five constituencies — Muthialpet, Bahour and Thirubuvanai, all allotted to DMK, and Lawspet and Mahe, which were allotted to Congress. It may be noted that though just one day is left for the announcement of names of candidates, Congress is yet to release the names.
The DMK withheld ‘Form A’ and ‘Form B’ authorisation forms from candidates who filed nominations in Congress-allocated constituencies, leading to rejection of those papers. In contrast, the Congress issued authorisation forms to all its nominees, ensuring their acceptance — even in seats later allotted to the DMK. This has resulted in Congress candidates officially remaining in the fray in at least six DMK constituencies.
Failure to withdraw nomination could formalise intra-alliance contests in multiple constituencies, giving the opposition an advantage.
AICC spokesperson Dolly Sharma described the situation a “friendly contest”, while indicating that candidates have been asked to withdraw while some may not.
"They have been working in the constituencies for a long time and hence in some constituencies there could be a friendly contest,” she told reporters at the party office on Wednesday. “Full clarity will emerge tomorrow,” she added, hinting at last-minute negotiations.
The episode raises concerns over INDIA bloc’s ability to present a united front against the NDA in Puducherry, even as it seeks to replicate its Tamil Nadu alliance model in the Union Territory.