PUDUCHERRY: Following the splendid victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the political landscape of Puducherry has shifted toward high-stakes power-sharing negotiations within the alliance.
The All India NR Congress (AINRC), which leads the NDA, has emerged as the dominant force, securing 12 seats, an increase of two from the 2021 election. In contrast, its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saw its tally drop to four seats, two fewer than its previous count. Another ally, AIADMK, which drew a blank in the last polls, secured one this time. AIADMK is also keen on sharing power, exerting pressure on AINRC founder N Rangasamy. The lone MLA A Anbalagan has been vocal pre-poll and post-poll on the party sharing power. And son of lottery magnate Santiago Martin, Jose Charles Martin, who floated Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK), will leave no stones unturned in joining the Rangasamy cabinet. LJK won one of the two seats it contested.
The combined 18 seats of the AINRC, BJP, AIADMK and LJK satisfy the simple majority (16) required in the 30-member House. While Rangasamy is set to become the chief minister for the record fifth time, negotiations are currently centred on the distribution of ministerial positions. BJP is reportedly pushing for a continuation of the 2021 arrangement, which included two ministerial berths and the speaker's post. However, bolstered by his party's improved performance, Rangasamy is favouring a more restricted offer for the BJP, specifically one ministerial berth and the deputy speaker's position this time.
Rangasamy’s negotiation hand is further strengthened, as he can seek support from the newly formed party led by actor Vijay, which secured two seats, and Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NYMK), which has one seat, in their debut, along with three successful independent candidates. If these groups are successfully roped in, the AINRC-led bloc’s strength could rise to 18, providing the chief minister significantly more leverage than he held in 2021.
“As Rangasamy is in a better position to negotiate this time, he will not agree to the 2021 arrangement (two ministerial berths and speaker post for BJP). He may offer one minister post and a deputy speaker post for the BJP. But he will not antagonise the BJP by coming out of NDA and roping in TVK, NYMK and three independents to form the govt. His strategy is always to be amicable with the Union govt to ensure smooth flow of finances,” said political commentator G Murugan.
Meanwhile, the BJP high command was highly disappointed with the party’s performance. “The party high command is highly disappointed with its ministers and party functionaries, as they failed to groom the party in the last five years. We can expect a complete revamp in the local BJP unit shortly,” said a BJP functionary on condition of anonymity.
