Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, came to Puducherry during the campaign and made campaign promises to the people. If Congress Government comes to power, it will make Puducherry fully statehood and hold local body elections within six months. And that is why he toured Puducherry because those problems have been pending for years and are central to the demands of residents.
Rahul Gandhi spoke at a public meeting in Puducherry and spoke about self-governance. He criticized the present administration for being controlled from Delhi and said that under Congress Puducherry would have full powers to govern itself. He promised local body elections, which have not been held for a long time, would be done in six months of Congress forming the government.
Key Promises
- Full Statehood: Puducherry would no longer be a Union Territory but would be given full state powers.
- Local Body Elections: Elections would take place in six months to rebuild grassroots democracy.
- Youth Support: Rahul Gandhi also promised financial assistance of ₹2,000 per month to unemployed youth.
- Job Creation: He said he will create 30,000 jobs in public as well as private sectors.
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of running Puducherry through “remote control” from Delhi. He said the BJP had failed to deliver on its earlier promise of statehood and alleged corruption in the administration. He said contracts were being awarded with a “30% commission,” which he said was hurting development.
Puducherry is also a statehood in perpetual demand and the demand for full statehood has been an issue. Residents would like statehood to become a bigger part of their future. Local elections are also crucial for the survival of democracy at the local level and the democratic process in Puducherry. Rahul Gandhi’s promises so far are to address these concerns and get people’s support to vote for them ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Puducherry shows the Congress party’s commitment to statehood, local governance, and youth empowerment. A republic with reforms and criticism of BJP’s administration is the central focus of the Congress campaign. The people of Puducherry will decide in the elections if these promises are meaningful to them and not just for the Union Territory.
