Rahul Gandhi vows full statehood for Puducherry, blames Delhi control
Rahul Gandhi vows full statehood for Puducherry, blames Delhi control
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pledges full statehood for Puducherry if Congress forms government, accusing Centre-led administration of sidelining locals.
At a campaign rally ahead of the April 9 Puducherry assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi argued that the union territory was not being run to the will of its people but under the influence of the Centre. He alleged that the Lt. Governor was bypassing the voice of Puducherry residents and declared that the Congress would restore local authority once it forms the government. I feel sad that the territory is not run by the people of Puducherry, he said, signaling a shift away from Delhi-dominated administration. He affirmed the party’s commitment to granting statehood for Puducherry when it comes to power at the Centre.
Addressing a crowd amid the party’s campaign, Gandhi criticized delays in local body polls and leveled corruption charges against the incumbent AINRC-BJP government, drawing loud cheers from supporters. He stressed that true governance should be led by local people, not a distant administrative power. He promised that if the Congress wins, local body elections would be held within six months of taking office to strengthen local governance and accountability.
The broader campaign package discussed alongside these promises includes a focus on jobs and social security. The party’s plan highlights job creation and welfare schemes, including promises of monthly support for unemployed youth, a boost in employment opportunities, and reforms aimed at easing governance at the local level.
In addition to political reforms, the campaign emphasizes social security benefits: Rs 2,000 per month for unemployed youth, 30,000 new jobs, free bus travel for women, relaxation of government job age limits, and Rs 20 lakh health insurance for every family. These proposals align with a broader push for inclusive growth and stronger safety nets for Puducherry residents. As voters prepare to cast ballots on April 9, the portrait of statehood and empowered local governance is set against ongoing debates over administrative control and accountability.
