PMK embarrasses NDA, says it will contest LS poll in Pondy

, Mar 21: The NDA combine in Puducherry has found itself in an embarrassing spot after one of its partner PMK today announced it would contest the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory, nine days after another ally, the ruling AINRC, announced its nominee.

PMK's Puducherry unit organizer and former legislator R K R Anandaraman's decision to contest the poll and not to go back on his call sparked a quick reaction from BJP, which said it was causing "unnecessary confusion, embarrassment and chaos."

"Anandaraman's decision is causing unnecessary confusion embarrassment and chaos. It had already been decided that AINRC, an ally of the BJP-led alliance will contest the poll here," BJP Puducherry unit president M Visweswaran said.

He said the party would hold parleys with Anandaraman soon and convince him to withdraw his decision. BJP national president Rajnath Singh had announced allotment of the seat to AINRC at a separate meeting with Chief Minister and AINRC founder N Rangasamy at Chennai yesterday, where the saffron party had declared stitching up a six party alliance for the LS polls in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Anandaraman today said he would not go back on his decision to contest the poll. "It is a firm decision." He had been carrying out an extensive campaign for the last few months, seeking support of voters.

The PMK leader's announcement comes after Rangasamy stated on March 12 that AINRC would contest the poll and former Speaker R Radhakrishnan was the AINRC nominee. With Ananadaraman's announcement, Puducherry is likely to witness with a six cornered contest with DMK, AIADMK, AINRC and CPI have already announcing their candidates. Minister of state in PMO V Narayanasamy, is also seeking re-election from here.

PTI