The lone Rajya Sabha seat in the Union Territory has become the cynosure of political parties, including the ruling All India NR Congress and its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The seat will fall vacant by September this year as the term of office of the incumbent and estranged Congress leader P. Kannan would come to a close.
The ruling AINRC can hope to win on the basis of its strength in the Assembly. The AINRC has 15 MLAs on its side and enjoys the support of an Independent MLA from Karaikal.
Though two AINRC members —V. Bhalan and NSJ Jayabal —and BJP nominee M. Visweswaran were inducted as nominated MLAs, they would not have voting rights in the Assembly.
The aspiration for the Rajya Sabha seat has recently surfaced in the BJP, an alliance partner of the AINRC in the Union Territory.
The other day, Mr. Visweswaran, president of the Puducherry unit of the BJP had gone on record with a demand for the seat. He had contended that the BJP even had “a moral right” to stake claim for the seat given the national character of the party.
“The BJP is a national party and we are expecting a seat. But it will take some time. At the time of elections, senior leaders from the BJP would hold consultations with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and decide on who should contest,” he said.
However, a senior AINRC leader said the party had contested the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP.
“We are keen to contest the Rajya Sabha seat and want the party’s voice to be heard in the Upper House. There is no question of parting the seat on a reciprocal basis and senior leaders from BJP have not staked claim for the seat,” he said.
The AINRC is in a tight spot as it relies on cordial relations with the BJP as the Centre’s support is indispensable for it to continue to hold the reins of administration in Puducherry.
Surprisingly, the Congress appears not too keen on pursuing the seat. However, Pradesh Congress Committee president A.V. Subramanian ruled out the party contesting the Rajya Sabha seat. “We are not planning to contest the seat. We don’t have the required strength in the Assembly. Of our seven MLAs, two of them are remaining aloof to party matters. We need 16 MLAs and the AIADMK may not extend support to us.”
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress Legislator Malladi Krishna Rao who has been making overtures to the AINRC is yet to make his stand clear particularly in the context of speculation that he would switch allegiance to the AINRC and contest the seat.
Congress not interested as it lacks numbers and not sure of AIADMK’s support
