Puducherry: In a strategic alignment for upcoming elections, the 'INDIA' bloc in Puducherry will be led by the Congress, while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) retains leadership of the alliance in Tamil Nadu. This arrangement, confirmed by Girish Chodankar, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, follows extensive discussions with senior party figures, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The allocation signifies a clear demarcation of leadership within the allied parties for the respective territories. While the Congress is slated to head the coalition in Puducherry, the DMK's dominant role in its home state of Tamil Nadu remains unchallenged. Preliminary talks regarding seat-sharing in Puducherry have reportedly commenced.
The confirmation comes amidst reports of a sealed seat-sharing deal between the DMK and Congress for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Under this agreement, the Congress is to contest 28 Assembly seats and secure one Rajya Sabha seat. This pact aims to quell speculation regarding potential fissures within the alliance and present a united front.
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Discussions involving the Congress delegation, including TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai, and M.K. Stalin have been ongoing, with Congress reportedly aiming for a larger share of seats, with figures like 30-35 seats being mentioned in earlier reports. The swiftness of these negotiations has been noted, prompting some observation about the underlying dynamics.
Historically, the Congress has been a significant player in Puducherry, often contesting a substantial number of seats. The DMK, on the other hand, contested 13 seats in the previous Puducherry Assembly elections and emerged victorious in six, with current aspirations to contest at least 15 seats. The recent formation of a five-member committee by the Congress to conduct seat-sharing discussions with the DMK for the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls further underscores the progression of these alliances.
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"Negotiations regarding Puducherry will take place in Puducherry." - Girish Chodankar
"The Congress will lead the secular alliance, which includes the DMK, in Puducherry." - K. Selvaperunthagai
The TNCC chief has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing alliance talks, highlighting the "cooperative nature" of the DMK-Congress alliance and confidence in internal discussions concerning power and constituency allocations. He has emphasized the smooth progression of the alliance, dismissing notions of friction and acknowledging Stalin's "statesmanship" in accommodating the Congress's requests.
The broader context involves the consolidation of the 'INDIA' bloc, with figures like senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram welcoming such arrangements as a means to strengthen the bloc's unity. The alliance's structure, particularly regarding seat allocation and leadership roles, appears to be a focal point as parties gear up for the electoral contests.