Vijay vows to struggle for granting Puducherry full statehood

TVK founder-leader and actor-turned-politician Vijay on Saturday assured the people of the Union Territory that he would strive hard to get statehood for Puducherry, where there would be no interference from the Lieutenant Governor. Campaigning for the April 9 elections in Thattanchavadi, Vijay appealed to the people to give his party a chance to rule in the April elections. He said that if his party came to power, municipal elections would be held within six months of forming the government.

Vijay also made other major promises, including providing Rs 25,000 for maternity assistance, filling all vacant government posts, 100 percent crop insurance for farmers, a subsidy of Rs 20 per liter on diesel for fishermen, a medical insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, free electricity up to 200 units for families below the poverty line, and the establishment of an Art and Science University in Puducherry.

Describing the opposition Congress-DMK as "entangled" and the ruling AINRC-BJP as a "compulsory alliance", Vijay sought votes for his party TVK's election symbol 'Satti'. Referring to ration shops, he said that except for rice, all other items had been closed down years ago. He said that red card holders were being given 20 kg and yellow card holders 10 kg of rice. He criticized the previous administration, saying that in 2016, the then Lieutenant Governor had stopped rice supply after alleged corruption and adopted the DBT method. Rice was supplied from schools due to non-payment of rent for ration shops, and ration shop employees had not received salaries for five years. Vijay challenged his opponents, saying that when he stated these facts, those in power said that he was speaking without knowing the facts, while all this information was available on news websites.

Appealing to the people not to vote for broken and unsuitable alliances, Vijay said that everyone, including minorities, needed protection. He said that people should not trust alliances in the guise of minorities or alliances against minorities. He emphasized that "elect TVK candidates who will stand for the people, think that you are voting for Vijay, TVK will always be there to fulfill your needs."

Vijay confidently said that after the elections on April 23 in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, the TVK government would be formed, and he wanted a similar government to be established in Puducherry.

TVK founder and popular actor Vijay on Saturday campaigned for his party's 28 candidates and two candidates of ally 'Naam Makkal Katchi (NMK)' in Puducherry. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the Union Territory on April 9.