Puducherry NDA Rift Deepens: Rangasamy Skips BJP Talks, Flies to Tiruchendur Amid Alliance Crisis

Puducherry: Signs of a serious strain within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Puducherry became more evident on Thursday, as Chief Minister N. Rangasamy appeared to avoid a crucial round of talks with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, even as efforts were underway from the party’s central leadership to salvage the alliance.

The developments come in the backdrop of a high-level meeting held in New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president J. P. Nadda. According to sources, the  meeting deliberated on conditions reportedly put forward by Rangasamy regarding the continuation of the alliance. The leadership is learnt to have conveyed that the induction of any new ally would not pose difficulties and would be managed by the BJP.

Acting on these directions, a delegation led by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya departed from Delhi on a special flight on Thursday morning, aiming to hold a fresh round of discussions with the Puducherry Chief Minister and ease tensions. The delegation was expected to meet Rangasamy at his residence upon arrival in Puducherry later in the day.

However, in a sudden move that has intensified speculation of a breakdown in ties, Rangasamy left Puducherry, citing a visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. He is also scheduled to proceed to the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple for darshan, effectively avoiding the scheduled poltics engagement.

Sources close to the Chief Minister indicated that Rangasamy is no longer inclined to continue within the NDA framework, signalling a potential rupture in the alliance that has governed Puducherry.

The emerging scenario suggests that the BJP may now chart an independent course in the Union Territory, exploring electoral tie-ups with parties such as the AIADMK, PMK, and other regional outfits. An official announcement regarding the BJP’s next course of action is expected shortly.

The political developments have added a fresh layer of uncertainty ahead of the electoral landscape in Puducherry, with both alliance arithmetic and campaign strategies likely to undergo significant recalibration.