Puducherry

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday alleged that Narendra Modi-led BJP has turned Puducherry into a “testing ground” for its anti-people policies.

Campaigning for candidates of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, Udhayanidhi claimed that the BJP was attempting to take full control of the Union Territory, similar to its alleged efforts in Tamil Nadu through the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“Puducherry has always been a land of love where hate politics was never allowed. Today, the infiltration of fascist BJP forces has increased significantly. It has become a testing ground for all of the BJP’s anti-people policies,” he said.

He further alleged that the BJP was “riding on the shoulders” of the All India N.R. Congress in Puducherry, just as it was relying on the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.

Udhayanidhi criticised the Centre’s policies, including the National Education Policy, claiming it promotes a “caste-based education system.” He warned that such initiatives could adversely impact future generations in the Union Territory.

Praising Tamil Nadu’s governance, he said Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had successfully resisted what he termed as the BJP’s attempts to impose its agenda in the state.

Calling upon voters to support the alliance in the April 9 polls, he urged people to uphold Puducherry’s “self-respect” and reject the BJP’s “double-engine government” narrative.

“The so-called double-engine government has done very little for growth. In contrast, the Dravidian model government has ensured double-digit economic growth of over 11 per cent,” he said.

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He also accused the Centre of ignoring Puducherry’s long-pending demand for statehood despite repeated resolutions passed by the Assembly, alleging that the BJP intends to keep the Union Territory under its control.