Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday promised that local body elections would be conducted in Puducherry within six months if the Congress comes to power after the Assembly polls.
Campaigning in support of Congress and DMK candidates, Rahul said he regretted not visiting Puducherry more often and alleged that the Union Territory was being run through “remote control” from Delhi. He accused the BJP of pushing its ideology instead of reflecting the wishes of Puducherry’s people, and said the administration was being driven through the Lieutenant Governor.
Rahul also alleged that local body elections have not been held for years, industry is being weakened, and that the BJP is attempting to hand over key assets to the Adani group, citing the Karaikal port and the power department. He further claimed that fake drug manufacturing is rising and that the government has failed to act.
He levelled allegations of corruption in contracts, said liquor outlets are being permitted near schools and places of worship, and claimed temple lands are being encroached upon. Reiterating his party’s stand, he said Puducherry should be governed by its own people, and listed poll promises including a ₹2,000 monthly allowance for unemployed youth, 30,000 jobs, free bus travel for women, raising the upper age limit for government jobs to 40, and health insurance cover up to ₹20 lakh per family.
