Puducherry: Businessman turned politician Jose Charles Martin, son of lottery baron Santiago Martin claimed that he was sidelined and “never truly recognised” during his decade-long stint in the BJP. Distancing himself from the BJP, Jose Charles Martin is pitching himself as a third force in the Puducherry Union Territory’s 2026 assembly election, vowing to upend the “BJP-Congress-NR Congress syndicate”.
In an interview with ThePrint, Jose Charles said Puducherry’s political class has become “unconnected” and “indifferent to people’s suffering”, creating an opportunity for a new player with resources and administrative clarity.
Asked about Puducherry’s liquor policy and if he would allow lotteries in the Union Territory, he said illicit arrack would the first target if his party comes to power.
“Local brewing must be immediately banned. Quality must improve and taxes must be rationalised. This is not a state where I will bring lotteries or casinos. People are in poverty, this is not the time for luxury ideas.”
Jose Charles also responded to electoral bond disclosures that showed the Martin Group donating to both BJP and DMK.
He said business and politics would be separated going forward.
“Once I am fully into politics, I will remove myself from many business operations. My father and the board will handle it. My focus will be political work.”
On Puducherry’s long pending demand for a statehood, he said he supports the demand “in principle” but argued that the UT needs “breathing room” and continued central support before a transition.
He maintained that only a clear majority, not a coalition, would allow him to deliver on his promises, distancing himself from his brother-in-law TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna’s coalition-centric approach in Tamil Nadu.
“If you don’t have power, you cannot move files or fulfil your manifesto. That’s why I’m contesting all 30 seats,” he said.
Jose Charles refused to reveal the name of his party but said he would launch it in December.
His organisation JCM Makkal Mandram has drawn comparisons with Vijay’s pre-party structure of Vijay Makkal Mandram, but he insisted his organisation is being built “from the booth level up”, not through branding alone.
Jose Charles B-team of BJP?
About his new political venture, Jose Charles Martin said the turning point came during the Fengal cyclone, when he was distributing relief material in flood-hit areas.
“That was an eye-opener. People were living in conditions I did not expect. Poverty here is at a level where basic dignity itself is missing,” he said, adding that “25 years of political stagnation” pushed him toward launching a party of his own. He plans to contest all 30 constituencies in the 2026 Assembly polls.
Jose Charles’ entry has already triggered accusations from the Congress and the ruling NR Congress that he has been put up by the BJP. Jose Charles dismissed it as fear by opposition and the ruling party.
“They see crowds around me and immediately call me the BJP’s B-team. But people from DMK, Congress and BJP all want to join me. That itself shows I’m not anyone’s B-team,” he said.
Jose Charles accused the current government of turning this institutional friction into political theatre.
“They only play a blame game. Funds given by the Centre were sent back without being used. They refused to touch them because they didn’t want BJP to get credit,” he claimed.
He also criticised what he called the “syndicate model” of Puducherry politics, alleging that leaders across parties are tied together by liquor interests.
“They all have bars. Nobody wants to disturb anyone’s business. Law and order has collapsed, schoolchildren protest on the streets, pattas (land deeds) are denied to underprivileged families. People want someone who is not corrupt and who is not here to make money,” he said.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: ‘Lottery king’ Santiago Martin’s son Jose to launch new political party in Puducherry