Puducherry not run according to aspirations of its people, but controlled by Delhi: Rahul Gandhi

Indirectly referring to the control exerted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs over the administrative affairs of Puducherry due to its status as a Union Territory (UT), Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said on Monday (April 6, 2026) that the territory was not run according to the aspirations of its people but of those ruling at the Centre.

Addressing a public meeting as part of the Congress’ campaign for the April 9 Assembly polls in Puducherry, Mr. Gandhi said that the government of the UT was not administered in accordance with the wishes of its citizens. “I feel sad that the territory is not run by the people of Puducherry. The government here is does not reflect the will of the people. The Lt. Governor is bypassing the will and expression of the people of Puducherry,” he alleged. 

The Congress, he said, was fully committed to according Statehood to Puducherry “when we come to power at the Centre.”

“We do not want the Lt. Governor to run Puducherry as though he is a king. The Congress wants Puducherry to be governed by the local people. So, we are committed to according Statehood to Puducherry,” he said. 

To loud cheers from the gathering, Mr. Gandhi raked up the delay in holding the local body polls in the UT and raised allegations of corruption against the AINRC-BJP government. 

‘Will hold local body polls’

Promising to hold the local body elections in the event of the Congress party securing a majority to form the government in the UT, Mr. Gandhi said that the strengthening of local bodies was important to improve governance. “If we come to power, within six months, we will hold the civic body elections. Elections to local bodies are a must to bring the younger generation into political leadership roles,” he said. 

Accusing the AINRC-BJP of being corrupt, Mr. Gandhi said the five-year tenure of the government was marred by several misdeeds, including the manufacturing of fake medicines and the encroachment of temple lands. “A liquor licence Raj was being run in Puducherry. Liquor outlets have been opened everywhere, including near schools, despite objections from residents. The manufacturing of fake drugs not only amounts to corruption but is an act of murder,” he added. 

Referring to the controversy over attempts to privatise the Electricity Department, Mr. Gandhi said the AINRC-BJP government was trying to sell properties in Puducherry to Adani Enterprises. “The Kariakal Port has been given to Adani and now, attempts are being made to sell the power sector to the company,” he added. 

Besides the candidates contesting on the Congress ticket as part of the INDIA bloc, some candidates fielded by alliance partners, the DMK and VCK, were present at the public meeting. The Congress is contesting in 16 seats, the DMK in 13, and the VCK in 1 in the polls to the 30-member Legislative Assembly.

However, there are six seats where the Congress and DMK have fielded candidates from the same constituencies. There are also three constituencies where the Congress, DMK, and VCK have all fielded candidates. The Left parties are not part of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry.