Pondicherry CM confident of winning Nellithope bypoll

Puducherry: Rubbishing suggestions that the entire opposition is united to defeat him in Saturday's by-election to the Nellithope Assembly constituency in the heart of Puducherry town, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday asserted that he would win hands down as more than 15 “smaller” parties are supporting him.

In an interview with E.T.B. Sivapriyan, Pondy Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said he would win the bypolls as over 15 “smaller” parties were  supporting him. Excerpts:

Q You were the main campaigner for the Congress in May this year seeking votes for a change of government. Six months down the line, you are asking people to vote for you to continue in the CM’s post. How do you feel?

In 2016 general elections, people wanted a change and we in the Congress said we would provide that change. People’s wish for a change of government was fulfilled. Before the elections, Congress president and the Congress vice president asked me to coordinate the elections and gave me a hint that I would be suitably rewarded.

After the elections was over, the Congress president asked me to take over as the Chief Minister and under the Constitution a non-elected member of the Assembly should get elected within six months. My government’s work in the past six months would fetch me votes and I am confident of winning this election handsomely.

Q Are you confident of your victory despite NR Congress and BJP supporting the AIADMK candidate? It looks like the entire Opposition has united to ensure your defeat in the elections. How do you see the Opposition strategy?

A: Apart from the DMK, which is an ally, we have the support of VCK and CPI. I also have the support of 15 other parties backing me because of my track record. To say that the Opposition is united against me is wrong. The NR Congress candidate secured only 513 votes in the May elections and he joined the Congress after the elections and the BJP is non-existent in Nellithope. The party scored only 81 votes. The NR Congress did not field a candidate of its own and instead decided to back the AIADMK without even the latter asking for its support. They are hiding behind (AIADMK). The people of Nellithope gave an overwhelming mandate to Congress’ A John Kumar and they will repeat the mandate this time as well.

Q Former Chief Minister N Rangasamy has vowed to defeat you in the elections. Where does this rivalry stem from; from your days as colleagues in the Congress? Why do you think the NR Congress supported the AIADMK candidate though they had split long back?

A: As far as the AIADMK and NR Congress are concerned, they are not friends as they claim to be. The AIADMK and NR Congress contested the 2011 Assembly elections together and once Mr Rangasamy refused cabinet berths for AIADMK, the party chief J. Jayalalithaa had termed him a betrayer and she repeated it in her 2016 campaign speech as well.

After accusing the NR Congress Government of indulging in corruption from 2011-2016 and now taking – the AIADMK and NR Congress alliance is opportunistic.

Q What are your plus points this elections?

A: Congress’ election promise of generation of additional 1 lakh jobs in the Union Territory has made wonders with the people and the government headed by me has been working in this regard for the past six months. We have brought the law and order situation under control, announced a special component plan for SC/ST, passed on lot of benefits for fishermen and implemented recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. I have been campaigning since October 21 and there is overwhelming support for me from people to me.

Q Opposition parties say the Congress would lose power in case of your defeat in the election and that there would change of guard. How do you respond to such suggestions/criticism?

A: The Congress and DMK have 18 MLAs in the Assembly whereas the N R Congress has only 8 members. It is for the people of Nellithope to decide (whether to elect me) and I am hopeful that I will emerge victorious. And I don’t visualise that kind of a situation (regime change).