Puducherry’s ruling NDA alliance has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the upcoming Assembly election, with the NR Congress set to contest 16 constituencies and the BJP-led bloc allotted 14.
With the government’s term ending in May and the election schedule expected soon, the NR Congress-BJP alliance has decided to continue together. However, the seat-sharing formula had remained pending until now.
Union Minister and BJP election in-charge Mansukh Mandaviya visited Puducherry and held consultations first with BJP leaders and then separately with alliance partners. He later led seat-sharing talks between the NR Congress and the BJP.
Chief Minister and NR Congress leader Rangasamy and PWD Minister Lakshmi Narayanan represented the NR Congress, while Mandaviya and BJP in-charge Nirmal Kumar Surana attended for the BJP. After the meeting, Surana said the 14 seats under the BJP’s share would include allocations for the AIADMK and the Lok Janshakti Party.
Surana added that the alliance would follow the same approach as in the previous election, and the constituency-wise list would be finalised in a day or two. He said discussions on the exact number of seats for the AIADMK were yet to take place, and a full announcement would be made before the election code of conduct comes into force.
