Interview/ V. Narayanasamy, former chief minister, Puducherry
Q/ You have been saying that the days of the All India NR Congress-BJP government in Puducherry are numbered. How confident are you of a change?
A/ It is a fact that the days of the AINRC-BJP government are numbered because there is a crack in the alliance. BJP MLAs have no confidence in the chief minister. Therefore, the government may fall any time.
Q/ What worked in favour of Puducherry Congress president V. Vaithilingam, who defeated Home Minister A. Namassivayam in the Lok Sabha polls?
A/ None of the promises made by AINRC-BJP government to the people, such as statehood, additional central funds for development, and inclusion of Puducherry in the Central Finance Commission, was implemented. The total neglect of the state by the Narendra Modi government was one of the factors for Vaithilingam winning the election. Corruption and a total failure of administration put development activities at a standstill.
Q/ What are the corruption allegations you are talking about?
A/ For the past two and a half years, I have been raising the issue of corruption in the excise department, 30 per cent commission for PWD contracts, corruption in the purchase of laptops for students, corruption in smart city projects and corruption in the animal husbandry and civil supplies departments. I will be writing to the prime minister flagging these issues.
Q/ Is the growth of the BJP in the south a worry for the Congress?
A/ Puducherry had Congress governments for a long time and we lost in 2021 because of the misuse of muscle and money power by the BJP government at the Centre. The BJP is not growing in Tamil Nadu or in south India. In the Lok Sabha elections, it got one seat in Kerala and zero in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Of course, it got about 15 seats in Karnataka. The BJP is creating a bogey of its growth in the south. The people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will not accept the BJP because it is against the minorities, dalits and backward communities. In the 2026 assembly polls, the Congress will come to power in Puducherry.