PUDUCHERRY: Alleging widespread public dissatisfaction with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Puducherry, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud on Thursday said the ‘double engine’ administration has failed to deliver on its promises of making Puducherry BEST (Business, Education, Spiritualists Tourism).
During his visit to Puducherry to oversee arrangements for campaign programmes of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the minister claimed that the Union Territory has not witnessed the growth as assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further alleged that Modi ignored Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy’s public appeal for statehood, stating that there has been no response from the centre on the long-pending demand.
According to Goud, the INDIA bloc is gaining ground in Puducherry despite “minor” differences among its constituents. He noted that efforts are under way to resolve internal issues, pointing out that the VCK has decided to contest in only in the Oulgaret constituency. He also said steps are being taken to strengthen coordination between the Congress and DMK and iron out differences.
On the other hand the “growing differences” within the NDA, particularly between the BJP and AINRC are very visible. Goud alleged that the UT government is facing strong anti-incumbency amid rising unemployment, with joblessness reportedly higher than the national average, he said.