In a statement, the VCK said that of the 14 constituencies allotted to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the Congress-led alliance, the Uzhavarkarai constituency had been ceded by the DMK to the VCK. However, the Congress fielded a candidate in the same constituency, despite the seat being earmarked for the VCK. The nominee, the party said, was previously associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and had joined the Congress only a few weeks ago.

The VCK said the Puducherry unit of the Congress had declined to withdraw the candidate, creating uncertainty over whether the party had been allotted the seat within the alliance.

With the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ending at 3 pm on Thursday, the VCK said the Congress’s approach had cast doubts not only on its position in the alliance but also on the coalition’s overall electoral prospects.

Stating that it had no alternative, the party announced its official candidates for the three constituencies where it had filed nominations. It urged voters in Puducherry to support its candidates to defeat the BJP-led alliance and to establish a government committed to social harmony and development.