Puducherry: Businessman turned politician Jose Charles Martin, son of lottery baron Santiago Martin claimed that he was sidelined and “by no means actually recognised” throughout his decade-long stint within the BJP. Distancing himself from the BJP, Jose Charles Martin is pitching himself as a 3rd power within the Puducherry Union Territory’s 2026 meeting election, vowing to upend the “BJP-Congress-NR Congress syndicate”.

In an interview with ThePrint, Jose Charles stated Puducherry’s political class has turn into “unconnected” and “detached to individuals’s struggling”, creating a possibility for a brand new participant with assets and administrative readability.

“Native brewing have to be instantly banned. High quality should enhance and taxes have to be rationalised. This isn’t a state the place I’ll carry lotteries or casinos. Persons are in poverty, this isn’t the time for luxurious concepts.”

Jose Charles additionally responded to electoral bond disclosures that confirmed the Martin Group donating to each BJP and DMK.

He stated enterprise and politics could be separated going ahead.

“As soon as I’m absolutely into politics, I’ll take away myself from many enterprise operations. My father and the board will deal with it. My focus can be political work.”

On Puducherry’s lengthy pending demand for a statehood, he stated he helps the demand “in precept” however argued that the UT wants “respiratory room” and continued central assist earlier than a transition.

He maintained that solely a transparent majority, not a coalition, would enable him to ship on his guarantees, distancing himself from his brother-in-law TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna’s coalition-centric method in Tamil Nadu.

“In case you don’t have energy, you can not transfer information or fulfil your manifesto. That’s why I’m contesting all 30 seats,” he stated.

Jose Charles refused to disclose the title of his social gathering however stated he would launch it in December.

His organisation JCM Makkal Mandram has drawn comparisons with Vijay’s pre-party construction of Vijay Makkal Mandram, however he insisted his organisation is being constructed “from the sales space degree up”, not via branding alone.

Jose Charles B-team of BJP?

About his new political enterprise, Jose Charles Martin stated the turning level got here in the course of the Fengal cyclone, when he was distributing reduction materials in flood-hit areas.

“That was an eye-opener. Individuals have been residing in circumstances I didn’t count on. Poverty right here is at a degree the place primary dignity itself is lacking,” he stated, including that “25 years of political stagnation” pushed him towards launching a celebration of his personal. He plans to contest all 30 constituencies within the 2026 Meeting polls.

Jose Charles’ entry has already triggered accusations from the Congress and the ruling NR Congress that he has been put up by the BJP. Jose Charles dismissed it as worry by opposition and the ruling social gathering.

“They see crowds round me and instantly name me the BJP’s B-team. However individuals from DMK, Congress and BJP all need to be part of me. That itself reveals I’m not anybody’s B-team,” he stated.

Jose Charles accused the present authorities of turning this institutional friction into political theatre.

“They solely play a blame sport. Funds given by the Centre have been despatched again with out getting used. They refused to the touch them as a result of they didn’t need BJP to get credit score,” he claimed.

He additionally criticised what he known as the “syndicate mannequin” of Puducherry politics, alleging that leaders throughout events are tied collectively by liquor pursuits.

“All of them have bars. No one desires to disturb anybody’s enterprise. Legislation and order has collapsed, schoolchildren protest on the streets, pattas (land deeds) are denied to underprivileged households. Individuals need somebody who is just not corrupt and who is just not right here to generate income,” he stated.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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Additionally learn: ‘Lottery king’ Santiago Martin’s son Jose to launch new political social gathering in Puducherry

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