Puducherry United Opposition Vows Escalating Protests Against Electricity Privatisation

The fight is far from over in Puducherry, where a powerful coalition of opposition parties is preparing to unleash a new wave of protests against the Union Territory administration's contentious decision to privatise the Electricity Department. Following a resounding success with their recent bandh (shutdown), which saw widespread public participation, these parties are now galvanizing their forces for an even more sustained and impactful struggle.

At the heart of this growing discontent lies the deep-seated fear of job losses, particularly for the hundreds of temporary workers who face an uncertain future.

Beyond the immediate threat to livelihoods, the opposition also warns of severe repercussions for ordinary consumers, anticipating a significant hike in electricity tariffs once the department falls into private hands. This concern has unified diverse political entities, transforming what might have been disparate voices into a formidable chorus of dissent.

The joint action committee, comprising prominent parties like the Congress, CPI, CPI-M, VCK, DMK, MDMK, and RSP, held a crucial meeting to chart their next moves.

Addressing the media, Congress MP V. Vaithilingam underscored the palpable public anger against the privatisation bid, evident in the overwhelming support for the March 15 bandh. He emphasized that the initial success was merely a precursor to a much larger movement aimed at compelling the UT administration to reconsider its stance.

G.

Palani, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), articulated the multifaceted impact of the proposed privatisation. He highlighted not only the precarious position of employees but also the potential for essential services to become prohibitively expensive for the common citizen. This sentiment was echoed by M.

Thamizhselvan, the CPI-M State Secretary, who stressed the necessity of a continuous, robust agitation to safeguard both workers' rights and public interests.

The action committee's strategic roadmap for the coming weeks includes a comprehensive series of public mobilizations. Citizens can expect to see human chains forming across the UT, symbolic of their collective resistance.

Extensive signature campaigns will be launched to gather widespread public mandate against the move, reinforcing the democratic basis of their protest. Furthermore, large-scale demonstrations and a significant public meeting are planned to amplify their message and gather even greater popular support.

As a formal step, the opposition leaders intend to submit detailed memorandums to both the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister, formally outlining their objections and demands.

They have made it clear that if their concerns are not addressed and the privatisation process continues its inexorable march, they are prepared to escalate their actions further, potentially resorting to more stringent forms of protest. The battle for Puducherry's electricity department is intensifying, promising a challenging period ahead for the UT administration as it faces a united and determined opposition.