As Puducherry gears up for assembly elections, the Union territory’s political landscape is seeing fresh turbulence with businessman Jose Charles Martin launching his own party, theLatchiya Jananayaga Katchi, positioning himself as an alternative to established players.
Martin, son of the renowned ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin, chairs the multi-croreCharles Group, which has interests spanning government lotteries, real estate, technology, railways, sports, and media. Speaking toIndia Today, he said public dissatisfaction with the Congress and the All India NR Congress—who have alternated in power in Puducherry—prompted his political entry.
Highlighting deficiencies in governance, Martin cited closed veterinary hospitals, unfertilized agricultural land, and deaths due to understaffed health centres as symptoms of a deeper structural problem: “The core issue is the absence of a clear vision. There is no roadmap for the next 5–10 years,” he said.
Martin’s party aims to focus onplanning-led development, particularly in urban infrastructure. A Singapore-based architectural firm has been engaged to advise on issues like traffic management and flyovers. Additionally, the party has unveiled a‘Women Declaration’, promising women-centric welfare, social security, and political empowerment, including reserving six assembly seats exclusively for women.
A headline-making pledge from Martin is hispersonal commitment of Rs 100 croreto the Puducherry Development Board to fund inclusive growth, welfare, and development—nearly double the annual MLA Local Area Development Fund pooled across all legislators.
Puducherry’s electoral history favors fragmented outcomes, with narrow margins, coalition governments, and multi-cornered contests. Political observers suggest that Martin’s party could play a decisive role, not necessarily by winning a majority, but by consolidating dissatisfied voters and influencing coalition dynamics.
Commenting on actor-politician Vijay’s recent visits, Martin flagged public safety concerns during large rallies, highlighting civic risks in densely populated areas.
Martin acknowledged his prior association with the BJP but said he opted for an independent party to prioritizelocally-driven leadershipand faster execution. He noted a steady inflow of party members since the launch and emphasized that, for now, his focus is solely on Puducherry, where swift, visible change is possible.
As the election approaches, Martin’s vision-driven agenda, coupled with high-value welfare pledges and a personal development fund, introduces a new variable into Puducherry’s political equation—one that could reshape alliances and voter dynamics in the weeks ahead.
