Rahul Gandhi pledges Puducherry statehood if Congress wins
Rahul Gandhi pledges Puducherry statehood if Congress wins
Rahul Gandhi promises full statehood for Puducherry if Congress forms the government, with unemployment support, free bus travel for women, and broad healthcare coverage.
Campaigning in Puducherry took a sharp turn as Rahul Gandhi pledged full statehood for the union territory if Congress forms the government. He accused the current administration of being remotely controlled by Delhi, while laying out a broad package of benefits that would come with power.
He said the promises include monthly support for unemployed youth, job creation, free bus travel for women, relaxed government job age limits, and Rs 20 lakh healthcare insurance for every family. The outline could reshape daily life for residents and redefine the political stakes in the run-up to polling day.
The backdrop is a charged campaign scene where rivals sharpen their own lines. BJP leaders have asserted their own vision for Puducherry's development and pushed back on the statehood pledge, arguing Congress has yet to secure clear consensus on alliance details and governance. Analysts say the debate over statehood and the promised social schemes will be central to voters as they weigh leadership and credibility ahead of the vote.
Despite the noise, the focus for many voters remains practical questions about funding, implementation, and how quickly such promises could translate into real change. If elected, Congress would need to navigate constitutional and administrative steps to grant full statehood and roll out the extensive welfare measures announced on the campaign trail.
