Puducherry govt was imposed from Delhi, does not represent people's will

PUDUCHERRY: Leader of opposition of Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the Puducherry govt (AINRC-BJP coalition) was ‘imposed from Delhi’ and does not represent the will of its people. Campaigning for the INDIA bloc candidates for the 2026 assembly polls on Monday in Puducherry, he accused the BJP of failing to grant statehood for the Union territory. “We will grant statehood,” he promised.


He said the BJP runs the territory through remote control, and the lieutenant governor bypasses the will of the people. “The regional leaders are sidelined, and local body polls were not held. The industrial and textile sectors are in terminal decline. Hundreds of factories were closed. BJP wants Puducherry to belong to Adani (Gautam Adani, businessman and chairperson of Adani Group). The strategic Karaikal port has already been sold to him”, he said.




Gandhi said Adani has now incorporated Puducherry electricity limited, which indicates that the electricity sector will be given to his group. “Puducherry is leading in fake drug manufacturing units, and yet there is no action by the govt. Spurious drugs are sold across the country. This is not just corruption but corruption with murder included,” he said.


He said everyone knows that there is a 30% commission on all contracts. “Govt has become a collection agent, commission is taken on projects on smart city, roads, drains and schools. There is a liquor license raj, and liquor licenses are sold for commission. Liquor stores are put near schools and places of worship. It does not matter how many times the people complain; nothing happens. They steal from people and also from gods. They grabbed temple lands. Law and order situation is declining, and people are afraid to walk at night. Women and children are vulnerable,” he said.


He pointed out that the lieutenant governor has admitted to rampant drug abuse among students. “They know the problem exists, yet they do nothing,” he said.


He announced a series of welfare measures for the people. “What is Congress going to do for the people of Puducherry. We are going to give monthly support of Rs 2,000 to the unemployed youth, create 30,000 new jobs in public and private sectors, women will be travelling free in Puducherry buses and relax entry into govt jobs till the age of 40 years. Every single family will have health care insurance of Rs 20 lakh per year,” he said.


“For us, the most important thing is that the Puducherry people get their voice in the govt. We do not want Puducherry to be ruled by the lieutenant governor like a king. We want Puducherry people to rule the state. That is why we are committed to statehood. We are going to hold local body polls within six months of forming govt. So that the next generation of leaders can arise. Please support Congress candidates and alliance parties. Let us have a govt in Puducherry that represents the true voice of the people of Puducherry,” he said.