PUDUCHERRY: The visit of BJP President Amit Shah to Puducherry and Tamil Nadu on Tuesday has created a wave of suspense. In Puducherry there are speculations on whether there would be a meeting between him and Chief Minister Rangasamy.
Rangasamy has been avoiding going to New Delhi ever since BJP sought the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Puducherry for fielding their candidate for the polls to be held sometime in September. The term of the present incumbent P Kannan of Congress expires on October 6.
As the founder president of AINRC, Rangasamy desired the seat for his party’s candidate and is not keen on giving it up to the BJP, party sources said.
On the other hand, denying the seat to the BJP can put a strain on the alliance.
Congress MLA Malladi Krishna Rao is ready to switch loyalties and hopes that he is offered the Rajya Sabha seat on behalf of the AINRC-BJP alliance.
“Malladi told me to vouch for him by citing his capabilities and contacts in Delhi and how Puducherry could benefit if he became a Rajya Sabha member,” an AINRC MLA told Express.
However, BJP is desirous of the Rajya Sabha seat as it will represent the face of the party from south in the parliament. Besides, the party is looking at strengthening the political base before the forthcoming assembly polls in 2016. Party functionaries are optimistic that the visit of Amit Shah on Tuesday would help activate the party. Poll strategies and the way forward are likely to come during the visit.
Mahesh Giri, BJP national secretary in-charge of political affairs of Puducherry and Lakswadeep, and a member of the parliament, is camping in Puducherry since the last two days and is taking care of preparations for the visit.
Shah will listen to workers about their views and response to the membership drive, said Giri.
Shah is scheduled to get to Puducherry around 12.30 from Chidambaram. After meeting the members of trade and industry and some prominent leaders, he will visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and then address party workers at 2 pm. This will be followed by an interaction session with party functionaries. He will leave for Bengaluru by an Air India flight from Puducherry at 5.05 pm.
Tight Security at Natarajar temple
Chidambaram: BJP president Amit Shah would visit Chidambaram on Tuesday to worship at Lord Natarajar temple. In view of his visit, tight police protection has been provided to the temple.