Puducherry Chief Minister Rangaswamy has sealed an NDA deal following talks with Amit Shah, securing the NR Congress-BJP alliance despite the BJP not conceding demands for statehood or party exclusion.

The All India NR Congress has hardened its stance against the BJP, deepening their alliance rift a day before a crucial decision on their partnership for the upcoming Puducherry elections.

The BJP-NR Congress alliance in Puducherry is reportedly under strain ahead of upcoming polls, with the NR Congress objecting to the inclusion of the Latchiya Dravida Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) in the NDA fold.