Chennai, March 26 – The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) announced its candidates for three constituencies in Puducherry on Thursday, following a dispute with the Congress over seat allocation within the alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
This move followed the Congress’ refusal to withdraw its nominee from the Uzhavarkarai constituency, which had been allocated to the VCK as part of the alliance agreement.
The VCK stated that the seat was among those allocated to the DMK in the Congress-led alliance and was subsequently ceded to it for contesting.
Despite this arrangement, the Congress fielded a candidate in Uzhavarkarai, leading to tensions between the allies.
The VCK alleged that the Congress nominee had prior links with the RSS and the BJP, and had only recently joined the Congress, raising concerns about the party's commitment to alliance discipline.
The VCK said that its efforts to resolve the issue with the Puducherry unit of the Congress were unsuccessful, as the latter declined to withdraw its candidate. The party noted that this development created uncertainty regarding its position within the alliance and cast doubts on coordination among coalition partners.
With the deadline for withdrawing nominations ending at 3 PM on Thursday, the VCK said it had no alternative but to proceed with announcing its candidates in the constituencies where it had already filed nominations.
It added that the Congress' approach had also raised broader concerns about the alliance's electoral prospects in Puducherry.
Urging voters to support its nominees, the VCK said it remained committed to defeating the BJP-led alliance and forming a government focused on social justice, harmony, and development.
The party has fielded Pe. Ariyaputhri alias Arimaththamizan from Oussudu, Pa. Amudavan from Nettapakkam, and Selva Pushpalatha from Uzhavarkarai.
This episode underscores emerging strains within the opposition alliance in Puducherry as parties intensify preparations for the upcoming elections.