AIADMK’s alliance matters decided by Palaniswami, not BJP in-charge, says party’s Puducherry unit secretary

Responding to remarks made by BJP in-charge for Puducherry Nirmal Kumar Surana that the NDA alliance in the Union Territory was restricted to BJP and AINRC only “for now”, AIADMK secretary A. Anbalagan said Mr. Surana has no role in deciding on matters related to poll pact among constituents in the NDA. 

“The NDA is headed by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu and AINRC founder and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy in Puducherry. Mr. Surana has no role in deciding on alliance. He is only the in-charge of BJP in Puducherry,” Mr. Anbalagan said while addressing a press conference on Saturday.

Mr. Surana had told media that as of now the BJP’s alliance was only with the AINRC for the upcoming Assembly polls. The BJP leader had also said that talks with the AIADMK for seat sharing was on in Puducherry.

In response to the remarks, Mr. Anbalagan said whether his party would be part of the NDA alliance in Puducherry has to be decided by Mr. Palaniswami and not by the BJP leader. “Also, Mr. Rangasamy has to decide on alliance issues as he was the chairman of the NDA here,” he added. 

The AIADMK leader also criticised the Puducherry government for the recent boat tragedy near the Ariankuppam rivermouth. Lack of strict monitoring of operations by boat operators has resulted in the death of a woman after a fishing vessel used for ferrying tourists capsized, he said.