PUDUCHERRY: A late-night meeting between Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy and Tamil Nadu Minister N Anand, popularly known as Bussy Anand, on Thursday sparked intense political speculation ahead of the forthcoming Thattanchavady Assembly by-election.
Anand, widely regarded as the second-most influential figure in the Tamil Nadu government after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, visited Rangasamy at the CM’s residence late on Thursday night. The two leaders are understood to have held discussions behind closed doors, triggering speculation about possible political realignments in Puducherry.
Thattanchavady Assembly constituency is set to face a by-election following CM Rangasamy’s resignation from here after he retained the Mangalam constituency seat following a dual victory. The ruling AINRC is keen to retain the constituency and enhance its strength in the Legislative Assembly to 12 seats.
Anand, a native of Puducherry, played a crucial role in transforming Vijay’s fan movement into a political party and had earlier served as a member of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly in 2006. He has long maintained close personal and political ties with Rangasamy and is often viewed as an important link between Rangasamy and Vijay. Since assuming ministerial office, Anand has seldom visited Puducherry. During an earlier visit, he offered prayers at the Angalamman Temple but did not meet Rangasamy. His latest trip to attend a wedding culminated in a midnight meeting with the CM.
The meeting assumes added significance amid uncertainty over potential electoral alliances in Puducherry. Although the Congress is part of the TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu, its counterparts in Puducherry have not held formal discussions regarding a possible alliance in the Union Territory. Political analysts believe that if TVK and Congress were to join hands in Puducherry for the by-election, the contest could become significantly tougher for the ruling NDA alliance.
Meanwhile, the Puducherry-based Neyam Makkal Kazhagam is learnt to have approached Anand seeking an opportunity to contest the Thattanchavady by-election. The party had contested the constituency in alliance with TVK during the Assembly election, where NMK candidate E Vinayagam finished second with 5,583 votes.
