A meeting of leaders of the National Democratic Alliance will be held in Puducherry on Friday to discuss government formation after the front secured majority in the Assembly elections.

According to sources, the meeting to be held over lunch at a hotel will be presided over by AINRC founder and NDA chairman in Puducherry N. Rangasamy. BJP high command will be represented by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Among those who are expected to participate in the meeting are BJP leaders A. Namassivayam, V. P. Ramalingam, AIADMK secretary A. Anbalagan and LJK leader Jose Charles Martin. The other newly-elected legislators from all the four parties will also attend the meeting. 

After the meeting, Mr. Rangasamy will call on Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan to stake claim for forming the government. A letter containing the names of 18 supporting legislators will be handed over to the Lt. Governor, the source added. 

Sources also said talks were on between Mr. Rangasamy and BJP leaders to decide on sharing of Ministries. In the last Assembly, the BJP had kept the Speaker’s post and two Ministries. The posts of three nominated legislators and Rajya Sabha were also taken by the BJP last year.

In the 2021 elections, the Saffron party had six seats but this time their tally had come down to four. “Preliminary talks were held between Mr. Mandaviya and Mr. Rangasamy, immediately after the results were out. The talks will continue on Friday,” said a BJP leader.