Kamal Ghorui
PUDUCHERRY: AIADMK, a constituent of the NDA, on Saturday said it has happily agreed to contest from two constituencies for the sake of honouring coalition dharma and asserted that it would claim a share in power if the alliance wins the upcoming Assembly polls.Speaking to reporters, AIADMK Puducherry unit secretary A Anbazhagan said his party would contest from Uppalam and Orleanpet constituencies and expressed confidence that NDA would retain power in Puducherry.He said: “During the last Assembly polls held in 2021, we fought from five constituencies and lost them all. This time, we are contesting in two seats and we will win both. Due to several circumstances, AIADMK is fighting from a reduced number of seats. Following the coalition dharma and upholding it, the AIADMK is contesting from only two constituencies.” Further, Anbalagan said talks were held on March 20 and Saturday and following “permission” from party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, “we accepted two seats happily.” Answering a question, the AIADMK leader said his party would for sure seek a share in power when NDA emerges victorious. “Are we in politics to do charity? A natural progress for an MLA is to become a minister,” he said.The ruling AINRC and the BJP-AIADMK combine on Friday reached an agreement for the Assembly polls in the union territory, where the AINRC will contest 16 seats, and the BJP will fight from the remaining 14.The arrangements were finalised after Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC leader N Rangasamy on Friday held talks with BJP leader and Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a hotel here.The BJP, from its kitty, has allocated two seats each to the AIADMK and the Lakshia Jananayaga Katchi (LJK).The BJP on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the April 9 Assembly polls in Puducherry, fielding Home Minister A Namassivayam for re-election from Mannadipet constituency.
