Amit Shah pitches for continuation of NDA Government, attacks INDIA bloc at Karaikal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday (February 14, 2026) called for the continuation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in Puducherry, urging voters to back what he described as a “double-engine government” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy in the Union Territory.

He was speaking at the public conference “Nallatchi thodarattum! Pudhuvai malarattum!” (Let good governance continue! Puducherry shall prosper!) held in Karaikal on Saturday (Friday 14, 2026). Mr. Shah said that during the previous Congress government, Puducherry had to “surrender” to the Centre, but asserted that under the present dispensation, the Union Territory functioned with greater autonomy and its authority is respected.

Mr. Shah said the NDA Government in Puducherry had achieved three major objectives over the past five years — ending corruption, ensuring that the Union Territory was treated with “respect and support” by the Centre, and bringing political stability. Paying tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack, he said India had responded firmly to terrorism through measures such as surgical strikes and air strikes after 2019, asserting that no hostile force could threaten the country under the Modi Government.

The Home Minister said the NDA had secured about 44% of the vote and won 16 of the 30 seats in the 2021 Assembly election in Puducherry, and expressed confidence that the alliance — comprising the BJP, All India N.R. Congress and the AIADMK — would improve its vote share and secure a stronger mandate in the next election. Mr. Shah said the NDA’s target for the upcoming election was to secure 60% of the vote and win 24 constituencies.

Criticising the previous Congress Government led by V. Narayanasamy, Mr. Shah alleged corruption was rampant during the regime, besides administrative irregularities and disrespect towards the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. He referred to CBI investigations into alleged irregularities flagged in recent CAG reports, which he claimed pointed to ₹15,000 crore worth of irregularities, and said the amount was equivalent to three years’ budget of the Union Territory.

Alleging that the former Chief Minister had treated Puducherry as an “ATM for the Gandhi family”, Mr. Shah said Mr. Narayanasamy’s intention was to “transport wealth from here to his Delhi high command”. Highlighting development initiatives in Puducherry, Mr. Shah referred to Zoho’s initiative to set up a software facility and said the Essar group had begun a laptop manufacturing unit, adding that the laptops would be exported to 70 countries. He also pointed to efforts to revive the textile sector, support the fisheries sector in accessing global markets, promote information technology and data centres, and enhance employment opportunities for youth.

Mr. Shah also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the party of spreading misinformation about recent trade deals and economic policies which he said would expand opportunities for farmers, fishermen and local industries while ensuring their protection. Concluding his address, he said the NDA Government would continue to prioritise development in Puducherry and urged voters to support the alliance to ensure progress.

In the conference, Puducherry speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, A John Kumar, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, and Puducherry election-in-charge Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Puducherry State President V.P. Ramalingam were also present. Earlier, Mr. Shah kick-started the BJP’s political campaign by painting the lotus symbol on a wall in Kottuchery commune and then honoured a senior BJP karyakartha working in Nedungadu commune. Later Mr. Shah held a meeting with Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy at a hotel in Karaikal.