Defectors turn game changers in Puducherry

Among the clutch of leaders who quit the Congress were A. Namassivayam, former Minister and second-in-command in the Narayanasamy Cabinet, and A. John Kumar, with a reputation of massive victory margins, who joined the BJP.

The spate of defections of several heavyweights that triggered the fall of the Narayanasamy-led Government before completing term, is now scorching the electoral prospects of the Congress alliance with many former associates notching up crucial wins for the rival front as early results of the April 6 elections came in on Sunday. And in the zero-sum game that has benefited the NDA as a whole in its bid for power, the BJP appears to have gained the most as it is now assured of a conspicuous tally of legislators in the 15th Legislative Assembly, whichever way the results go from here on. Among the clutch of leaders who quit the Congress were A. Namassivayam, former Minister and second-in-command in the Narayanasamy Cabinet, and A. John Kumar, with a reputation of massive victory margins, who joined the BJP, and K. Lakshminarayanan, who served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister.