Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) leader Jose Charles Martin has accused the Congress of making "false allegations" against his business, claiming the attacks stem from fear of electoral defeat.
Martin, son of Santiago Martin, often referred to as India's "lottery king", founded the LJK in December 2025. In an interview with PTI, he alleged that the Congress-led government at the Centre had previously attempted to harass and financially burden his family.
"We have contributed so much to the society, our nation. We are paying the one of the highest taxpayers. But these people don't understand and they are claiming all false allegations. This shows they have really accepted their failure. And they have nothing else to say and whatever they have asked, I have clarified it," Martin said.
Rejecting allegations made by the Congress and its allies, Martin insisted that his business has always operated transparently and contributed significantly to the country.
"We are clear and strong. We know what we are doing, while the opposition has not even started campaigning," he added.
Martin also criticised the Congress-DMK alliance, pointing to delays in campaign preparations and lack of clarity over seat-sharing arrangements. He noted that Communist parties have already exited the alliance, indicating internal discord.
In contrast, he expressed confidence in the NDA alliance, comprising the BJP, NR Congress, AIADMK, and LJK, describing it as united and well-prepared.
On the issue of Puducherry's statehood, Martin downplayed its urgency, stating that addressing everyday concerns should take precedence.
"Having a statehood is good but I am not worried about it. I have to support my people's livelihood. Their livelihood is more important than statehood. They have water issues, drainage issues, employment and more. I am more focussing on the growth rather than statehood. Be it a state or an union territory, people's life has to be developed," he added.
Outlining his party's long-term vision, Martin spoke about "Vision Puducherry 2050," an ambitious plan to transform the Union Territory into a global hub akin to Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
He said global instability, particularly in the Middle East, presents an opportunity to attract international investors and residents by positioning Puducherry as a stable and developed destination.
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Tourism, he emphasised, will be central to this strategy. His proposals include expanding international hotel chains, developing theme parks, launching cruise services, and upgrading airport infrastructure. He also highlighted the potential of both entertainment and spiritual tourism, citing Auroville and Puducherry's rich cultural heritage.
"We want to bring in more foreign exchange and improve local livelihoods. Tourism development will play a major role in that," he said.
Expressing confidence in the NDA's electoral prospects, Martin predicted a fragmented opposition, suggesting that Congress and DMK may even contest separately due to internal disagreements.
He also revised his party's expected performance, increasing the projected tally from 20 seats to at least 25, signalling strong optimism ahead of the polls.

