BJP to contest from 3 seats in Pudukottai

Pudukottai: Catching many by surprise, BJP is to contest from three assembly constituencies in Pudukottai district out of the total 27 under the agreement. There are six assembly segments in the district, and BJP is to contest in Gandarvakottai, Aranthangi, and Pudukottai. While it was expected that Pudukottai seat would be allotted to the party, the allocation of two additional seats in the district has surprised even the BJP's local unit. Party sources said BJP west district president N Ramachandran is expected to contest from Pudukottai seat. He had organised the valedictory event of Nainar Nagenthran's statewide campaign, ‘Tamilagam Thalai Nimira Tamilanin Payanam Yatra,' which was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah earlier this year.However, the allocation of Aranthangi and Gandarvakottai has raised eyebrows, given its NDA partner AIADMK's record of having won the seats in the past. BJP has hardly had any foothold in these constituencies. The allotment has also drawn attention because BJP is not contesting in districts like Karur, and fewer seats than expected have been allotted in districts such as Coimbatore. "It was a surprise for many of us that three seats have been allotted in Pudukottai, while in other districts where our winnability may have been considered stronger, not that many seats have been allotted. However, we are happy, and the groundwork has been underway for a while. Since the start of this year, we have been actively working on the ground," a district BJP source said.