Tue Nov 19 10:50:05 UTC 2024: ## Puducherry BJP Legislators Face Backlash for Honoring Lottery Baron’s Son

**Puducherry, November 19, 2024** – The Puducherry unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is embroiled in controversy following a recent event where several party legislators and independent MLAs supporting the party honored Jose Charles Martin, son of lottery baron Santiago Martin, who is currently under Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation.

The event, a felicitation ceremony for Class 10 and 12 students in the Kamaraj Nagar constituency, saw Mr. Martin as the chief guest. Hosted by BJP MLA A. John Kumar, the event included two other BJP MLAs and three independent MLAs supporting the party. Mr. Martin distributed gift boxes bearing his photograph, and MLA Richards John Kumar even publicly offered the Kamaraj Nagar Assembly seat to him in the next elections. Videos of the event, including one showing an independent MLA touching Mr. Martin’s feet, have gone viral.

This incident has sparked outrage among senior BJP members, particularly those described as ideologically committed. They criticize the event’s timing, noting that the ED was simultaneously conducting raids on his father’s businesses. The act is seen as a display of indiscipline and a disregard for party growth, especially considering Mr. Martin is not even from the Union Territory. Concerns have been raised regarding the message this sends to voters. One senior functionary stated that the issue will be raised at the next core committee meeting. Video footage of the event has reportedly been shared with the national leadership.

While BJP’s Puducherry unit in charge, Nirmal Kumar Surana, claims it was an annual event, other sources within the party indicate a complete overhaul of the Puducherry leadership is imminent, possibly by the end of the year. This follows the BJP’s defeat in the recent Puducherry Lok Sabha seat elections. The party is currently focusing on membership drives and organizational elections.

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