AINRC, BJP likely to retain seat-sharing formula of 2021 for upcoming Puducherry Assembly polls

BJP Puducherry president V.P. Ramalingam on Monday said the AINRC and BJP have almost reached an understanding to continue with the seat formula of last elections in 2026 Assembly polls also in the Union Territory.

“In the 2021 Assembly elections, our ally AINRC contested 16 seats leaving 14 to us. The formula in all probability will be continued for this year’s elections too. We will know by Tuesday about the seats that BJP will be contesting from within our quota and allotment to other parties in NDA,” he said in a brief interaction with reporters. 

Union Minister and party’s U.T. election in-charge Mansukh Mandaviya will be holding further discussion in Puducherry on Monday night. The election committee of the party would also be meeting at the same time, he added. 

Mr. Ramalingam said he would be leaving to New Delhi along with Home Minister A. Namassivayam and Speaker R. Selvam to finalise the candidates after the discussions here on Tuesday morning.  

Asked whether Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi headed by businessman Jose Charles Martin has joined the National Democratic Alliance in the U.T., he said there would be clarity on the subject only by Tuesday. 

“In the next two days, everything will be clear, including our candidates and whether there is going to be any addition of parties in our front other than AINRC and AIADMK. We are in the process of shortlisting three candidates in each of the constituencies that we will be contesting. The list will be submitted to the BJP’s Parliamentary Board for final decision,” Mr. Ramalingam said.