Puducherry, Sept 19 (BPNS)

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is divided in the Union Territory of Puducherry over the lone Rajya Saba seat with the BJP, All India NR Congress, and the AIADMK vying for the seat.

 The elections to the lone  Rajya Sabha seat is scheduled to take place on October 4 in Puducherry Union Territory.

BJP leader and minister in the Puducherry Government, A. Namasivayam has left for New Delhi and will be meeting party national president J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national organizing secretary B.L.Santosh to discuss the Rajya Sabha seat.

Namasivayam while speaking to BPNS said, “We have had meetings with the Chief Minister Rangasamy and I will convey the details of the meeting with our party national leaders.”

BJP Puducherry unit president Saminathan and Namasivayam met the Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy at the latter’s residence on Sunday and had a detailed meeting. However the Chief Minister, according to Namasivyam did not budge and told the BJP leaders that he would communicate to New Delhi regarding the matter.

Rangasamy it is learned is in favour of former Health Minister, Malladi Krishna Rao who was instrumental in pulling out several leaders from the Congress Puducherry unit paving the way for an AINRC, BJP government.

Meanwhile adding to the cup of woes in the NDA, the AIADMK has also jumped into the bandwagon and has demanded the lone RS seat to the party. Presently AIADMK leader, N. Gokulakrishnan is a Rajya Sabha member but his tenure will soon come to a close and the party wants a replacement to him in the Upper House.

AIADMK leader N. Anbalaghan called upon the Chief Minister to hold a consultative committee meeting of the AIADMK, BJP, and AINRC and then offer the seat to the AIADMK.

While speaking to BPNS, the AIADMK leader said, “We don’t have a representation in the legislative assembly and according to the coalition dharma we deserve the RS seat.” He added,” We hope that the Chief Minister will allocate the seat to the AIADMK.”