Puducherry’s NR Congress eyes TN expansion ahead of 2029 Lok Sabha polls

Puducherry, July 26 (IANS) The ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC), led by Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, has begun laying the groundwork for its expansion into neighbouring Tamil Nadu, marking the party’s first major attempt to establish a political presence outside the union territory.

The move is being seen as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

According to party sources, the leadership has already taken a decision in principle to launch a Tamil Nadu unit, with organisational work expected to gather pace over the coming months.

Senior leaders have initiated discussions with politicians from different parties as well as prominent public figures, aiming to build a broad-based network before the formal launch.

As part of these efforts, former PMK working president Gandhimathi Parasuraman, daughter of PMK founder Dr S. Ramadoss, met Chief Minister Rangasamy in Puducherry on Saturday. She was accompanied by her son, former PMK Youth Wing president Mugundan Parasuraman.

Although the meeting was described as a courtesy call, party insiders said it formed part of the ongoing consultations with leaders interested in the NR Congress’ expansion plans.

Earlier this week, former PMK MLA Arul Murugan and his supporters also met Rangasamy at a private hotel in Puducherry.

The meeting, attended by former Minister K. Lakshminarayanan, reportedly focused on strengthening the party’s organisational structure in Tamil Nadu and identifying potential leaders to spearhead its growth in the state.

Party insiders said several leaders and office-bearers from the PMK, Congress and other political parties in Tamil Nadu have expressed interest in joining the NR Congress.

A number of them are expected to formally enrol with the party in the coming weeks as the expansion drive gathers momentum.

To mark the beginning of its outreach, the NR Congress will organise a public function at Kamarajar Arangam in Chennai’s Teynampet on August 9 to commemorate the birth anniversaries of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

The event is expected to outline the party’s vision for Tamil Nadu and provide an indication of its future political strategy, although the formal launch of the state unit is likely to take place at a later stage.

Party leaders believe Rangasamy’s governance record, spanning five terms as Puducherry Chief Minister, and his commitment to the ideals of K. Kamaraj will form the cornerstone of the party’s appeal as it seeks to carve out a space in Tamil Nadu’s competitive political landscape.

–IANS

aal/dpb