Toppling of the Congress government by BJP and its allies through “unethical” methods has resulted in sympathy for the Congress-DMK alliance in the April 6 Assembly poll, former Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told DH's ETB Sivapriyan in an interview.
Q: The Congress seems to be fighting a tough battle in Puducherry after being in power for five years. How difficult is the fight?
A: As far as the situation is concerned, the power used by the Central government to topple the Congress government with the support of nominated MLAs has created sympathy among the people of Puducherry in favour of DMK and Congress. On one side, (former L-G) Dr Kiran Bedi was blocking welfare schemes and on the other side, the Centre was supporting her fully. In spite of the difficulties faced, our government delivered on its promises to the people. We registered a growth rate of 11 per cent. People have sympathy for our government because of misuse of power by the Centre. And moreover, Puducherry being a secular state, people here will not accept BJP, and NR Congress being a part of the alliance will also pay a price for its decision.
Q: Is the Congress-DMK alliance relying only on the sympathy factor this election?
A: People know pretty well the kind of obstruction that the L-G and Centre created for our government. The opposition was also in collaboration, and people of Puducherry fear that if the BJP comes to power, electricity supply will be given to private firms, and all state PSUs will be privatised. Above all, they also believe that the BJP will import people from other states for employment. The people feel the separate identity of Puducherry will be lost if the BJP gets a share in power.
Q: Do you mean to say there is no anti-incumbency against your government that last majority at the fag end of its tenure?
A: There was a certain amount of anti-incumbency but that has now been negated by the unethical and unconstitutional toppling of our elected government using nominated MLAs as a tool. People now understand the problems we had to encounter while getting files cleared from the L-G.
Q: You said people of Puducherry will not accept BJP. Why is that and how do you say so?
A: People's main demand here is statehood. Since the Centre has now enhanced the powers of L-G in Delhi, there is an apprehension that it will be replicated here too. That is one of the reasons for people to be against BJP other than for its divisive politics. Moreover, people fear the BJP will impose Hindi and not allot funds to elected governments. People of Puducherry fear that their unique identity will be lost if the BJP is part of a coalition government in the UT.
Q: The NR Congress has stitched up a formidable alliance, with BJP and AIADMK. Some of your former legislators are also contesting on BJP tickets. Your comments.
A: The same alliance fought the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and lost the election. Though some ministers and legislators left us, they have shifted constituencies as they fear defeat. People do not want to vote for BJP because they are secular.
Q: Why did you opt out of the contest? Is it because of fear of loss?
A: Nothing of that sort. Our PCC President is contesting, and we wanted someone to coordinate the campaign. Myself and our Puducherry MP V Vaithilingam are coordinating the campaign.