Puducherry Chief Minister canvasses for NR Congress candidate in Karaikal

Puducherry CM N. Rangasamy campaigns for NR Congress candidate in Karaikal, highlighting development achievements and urging voter support.

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy campaigned in Karaikal on Monday, seeking votes for the All India NR Congress candidate Chandira Priyanga in Poovam.

He said the party had formed the government within two months of its launch and had since implemented development schemes across all regions of the Union Territory.

Mr. Rangasamy said all schemes announced in the past five years had been fulfilled. He alleged that during the 2016–2021 Congress–DMK regime, no major schemes were implemented and that repeated confrontations with the Centre and then Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi had hampered development.

Stating that his government maintained cordial relations with the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor, he said this had helped secure higher funds and execute projects. He said pension had not been increased during the previous regime while his government raised it by ₹1,000 and extended benefits to 35,000 new beneficiaries. He listed welfare measures, including distribution of rice under ration cards, provision of wheat, and allocation of ₹3,000 crore for public works such as roads and bridges.

The Chief Minister said development work had been carried out in every Assembly constituency through the local administration department. Educational assistance was provided in full to students, laptops were distributed, and free education was ensured from primary to higher levels, he added.

He said farmers were given ₹30,000 per hectare for crop loss, cyclone relief of ₹5,000 was extended to affected families, and ₹3,000 was credited to bank accounts as Pongal assistance along with a special package worth ₹750. He added that steps had been taken by his government to bring institutions such as NIT and JIPMER to Karaikal.