Jagathratchakan, with get together leaders, launching the primary part of the ‘Udanpirappe Va’, a door-to-door membership drive at Muthiyalpet constituency in Puducherry on Monday. | Photo Credit: S.S. KUMAR

Member of Parliament representing Arakkonam constituency in Tamil Nadu and DMK chief S. Jagathrakshakan on Monday stated the failure to acquire Statehood for Puducherry has affected the expansion prospects of the Union Territory (UT).

Talking to reporters after inaugurating DMK’s membership drive, he stated Puducherry lacked in industrial growth because the native authorities was unable to take fast choices due to its UT standing. 

“In the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.Ok. Stalin is taking all measures for the event of the State. But in Puducherry, the AINRC-BJP authorities failed fully although the Prime Minister promised to make the Union Territory the BEST (Business, Education, Spiritual and Tourism hub). In actuality, no growth has taken place in Puducherry over the last 4 and a half years,“ he claimed.

The membership drive, he stated, was carried out on the instructions of Mr. Stalin, who can also be the DMK president, to strengthen the get together within the UT. On Monday, the drive was carried out in 5 locations and the hassle to incorporate new members will go on for a month. Opposition chief and DMK convenor R. Siva, former Minister S.P. Sivakumar and get together legislators attended the occasion. 

Published – October 07, 2025 05:45 am IST