Puducherry Returns To NDA Fold; Rangasamy Set For Fifth Term
  • The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has retained power in the Union Territory of Puducherry for a second consecutive term with the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) leading the victory. The NDA surpassed the majority requirement in the 30-member Assembly exactly as the exit polls had forecasted.
  • The alliance that includes AINRC and BJP and AIADMK and LJK achieved success through their smooth distribution of electoral positions and their combined electoral efforts while the Congress-DMK alliance suffered from internal conflicts which caused them to lose their first position.
  • The combination of welfare promises and various other commitments to the public raised their chances of winning the election. The main commitments consisted of water ATMs and ‘Atal’ canteens and two free LPG cylinders for women and e-scooters for girl students and increased financial support for homemakers which went up from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 and employment opportunities which would go to local residents. The promise to include the fishing community in the Backward Classes list also resonated strongly.
  • The clean image of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy combined with his steady leadership helped the NDA to achieve stronger political support. Rangasamy will become Chief Minister for the fifth time after this victory.
  • The Congress party experienced a decisive loss in the election because former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy did not participate in the electoral battle. The TVK alliance which Vijay leads arrived at the election which resulted in the opposition losing their chance to succeed because they lost the anti-incumbency votes.
  • The first-time contestant TVK made their entry into Puducherry elections by winning three electoral seats.
  • Rangasamy achieved victories in both of his electoral districts. He defeated his rivals in Tattanchavady by 4,441 votes which included former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam who finished fourth and in Mangalam by a margin of 7,050 votes.
  • NDA candidate Malladi Krishna Rao won the Yanam election as AINRC leader. 

Seat Tally:

  • NDA: 18 (AINRC 12, BJP 4, AIADMK 1, LJK 1)
  • Congress Alliance: 6 (DMK 5, Congress 1)
  • TVK Alliance: 3 (TVK 2, NMK 1)
  • Independents: 3