 "Narayanaswamy faces stiff challenge from AINRC in Puducherry")
Minister of state in PMO V Narayanaswamy is facing a fierce contest in the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union Territory, which has thrown up a multi-faceted contest even as ruling AINRC and PMK have locked horns claiming to be the NDA ally here.
Narayanaswamy of Congress, seeking a second term, also faces the disadvantage of fighting the April 24 polls without the support of regional outfits as no party, including former poll partner DMK, has forged an electoral truck with it.
At the other end, confusion continues over whether AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangaswamy or PMK has the support of NDA allies, including the BJP.
Though Narayanaswamy is fighting his opponents who are greenhorns, he would be certain to face a stiff contest from AINRC, which has fielded former Speaker R Radhakrishnan.
The AIADMK has chosen its former MLA, M V Omalingam from Karaikal, the DMK has fielded its sitting legislator AMH Nazeem, also from Karaikal, and the PMK has put up former legislator RKR Anandaraman in the fray which will also witness strong contest from the Aam Aadmi party candidate.
Rangaswamy has been campaigning on the plank that the Congress-led UPA government failed to provide sufficient funds for development. Narayanaswamy not only refutes the charge but also accuses the AINRC government of failing to utilise funds allocated.
There is also a resentment among Congress workers over renomination of Narayanaswamy as young cadres feel that the party should have given ticket to a youngster.
The Union Territory, which has 30 Assembly segments, has a total electorate of 885,000.
Narayanaswamy of Congress, seeking a second term, also faces the disadvantage of fighting the April 24 polls without the support of regional outfits as no party, including former poll partner DMK, has forged an electoral truck with it.
At the other end, confusion continues over whether AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangaswamy or PMK has the support of NDA allies, including the BJP.
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While Rangaswamy harps that his fledgling AINRC has struck an electoral understanding with the BJP, PMK, part of the saffron party led alliance in Tamil Nadu, stakes a similar claim.
Though Narayanaswamy is fighting his opponents who are greenhorns, he would be certain to face a stiff contest from AINRC, which has fielded former Speaker R Radhakrishnan.
The AIADMK has chosen its former MLA, M V Omalingam from Karaikal, the DMK has fielded its sitting legislator AMH Nazeem, also from Karaikal, and the PMK has put up former legislator RKR Anandaraman in the fray which will also witness strong contest from the Aam Aadmi party candidate.
Rangaswamy has been campaigning on the plank that the Congress-led UPA government failed to provide sufficient funds for development. Narayanaswamy not only refutes the charge but also accuses the AINRC government of failing to utilise funds allocated.
There is also a resentment among Congress workers over renomination of Narayanaswamy as young cadres feel that the party should have given ticket to a youngster.
The Union Territory, which has 30 Assembly segments, has a total electorate of 885,000.