No alliance talks now, says Rangasamy

PUDUCHERRY: All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder-leader and chief minister N Rangasamy said here on Tuesday that his party has not initiated alliance talks with any party for the ensuing 2016 assembly election as of now. When a section of reporters approached him on Tuesday seeking details about talk on alliance Rangasamy gave evasive answers sending clear-cut message to other parties that his party is not in a hurry in choosing the alliance partners.
He maintained that his party is ready to face the polls but quickly added that he will soon make an announcement on alliance combinations and party candidates at an appropriate time.He said filing of nomination commences only fromApril 22 in an effort to assert that there is ample time to make a decision on alliance affairs and choice of candidates.
He evaded direct replies when questioned whether the alliance with BJP still continues. AINRC and BJP successfully fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls together. AINRC candidate R Radhakrishnan emerged victorious beating the Congress candidate and former Union minister of state for Prime Minister’s office V Narayanasamy, who was seeking reelection.
Post Lok Sabha polls Rangasamy government strained its relationship with BJP party. When its erstwhile ally AIADMK came to the rescue of government by extending support to its Rajya Sabha candidate contesting on AIADMK ticket in 2015 it seemed that the two parties have renewed the alliance. However AIADMK maintained that the alliance was only for Rajya Sabha polls and asserted that it will continue to function as a constructive opposition party.
Rangasamy also evaded direct reply when asked whether AIADMK second-line leaders had initiated alliance talks with his party for 2016 assembly polls. “I will let you know later,” was his reply. His stance has triggered a speculation that Rangasamy party might contest the 2016 assembly poll alone.
A constituent of People’s welfare front, VCK founder-leader Thol Thirumavalavan a few days ago said Rangasamy party has a bright chance of joining the front if it distances itself from the BJP and AIADMK. However front leaders in Puducherry have been against Rangasamy party joining the front in Puducherry.
Puducherry might witness a multi-cornered contest in the ensuing polls. Presently only Congress and DMK have decided to contest the polls together. PMK, which already announced that it will contest polls alone in Tamil Nadu, will contest alone in Puducherry too. With negligible base BJP has been sidelined by other parties. BJP local leaders claimed that they have finalized the candidates for all 30 constituencies and sent the list for party high command’s approval. Two senior BJP leaders will visit Puducherry to announce the party’s decision.
AIADMK and AINRC have been undecided on alliance setting the stage for multi-cornered contest as of now. In the 30-member assembly AINRC emerged as the single largest party in 2011 assembly polls bagging 15 seats. AIADMK won five seats, Congress seven and DMK two. AINRC formed the government with the support of the independent candidate.