Puducherry Polls: N Rangasamy To Be NDA's CM Face, Says Mandaviya

(MENAFN- AsiaNet News)

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest the upcoming Puducherry assembly elections under the leadership of current Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters, “…We hope to win the election, and our alliance will form the government under the leadership of N. Rangasamy. CM Rangasamy is our leader…”

NDA Finalizes Seat-Sharing Agreement

Meanwhile, on Friday, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in Puducherry reached a seat-sharing agreement, with the All India N R Congress (AINRC) set to contest in 16 constituencies and the BJP in 10 seats for the April 9 Assembly elections. According to the BJP, NDA partners AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) will contest two seats each.

Chief Minister and NR Congress leader N. Rangasamy, after meeting Union Minister and BJP leader Mansukh Mandaviya, confirmed that their alliance with the BJP will continue in the Union Territory. Earlier on Friday, Puducherry BJP announced in an X post, “NDA rule in Puducherry is once again assured. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with NR Congress leader N. Rangasamy and our State President VP Ramalingame, have successfully concluded the seat-sharing agreement.”

Opposition Camp Prepares for Polls

On March 6, in the opposition camp, the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) formed a seven-member committee to hold formal discussions with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regarding alliance matters and to deliberate on seat-sharing arrangements for the elections. The decision was made during a meeting of the PPCC Political Executive Committee (PEC) held at the party office in Puducherry.

Election Schedule and Past Results

The Union Territory of Puducherry is set to hold the 2026 Assembly Election on April 9 in a single phase, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly will expire on June 15.

In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress each won six seats. Voter turnout was recorded at 84.8%. In the 2016 elections, Congress secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK four, and DMK two, with a voter turnout of 83.6%. (ANI)

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