GUWAHATI: The All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has emerged as the single largest party in the 30-member Puducherry Assembly, winning 12 seats as counting concluded across all constituencies.
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The BJP secured 4 seats, taking the NDA’s total to 16, just above the majority mark required to form government in the Union Territory. With this, the alliance is set to retain power in Puducherry.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won 5 seats, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) secured 2 seats. Other seats were distributed among the Indian National Congress (INC), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK), Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NYMK) and Independents.
Counting trends showed the NDA maintaining a lead through the day across key constituencies.
AINRC leader and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy won both constituencies he contested. In Thattanchavady, he defeated Neyam Makkal Kazhagam candidate E. Vinayagam by 4,441 votes, polling 10,024 votes against 5,583. In Mangalam, he won by 7,050 votes against DMK’s S.S. Rangan, securing 17,917 votes against 10,867.
The AINRC has been a key NDA partner since 2014 and played a central role in the alliance’s performance in the Union Territory.
Reacting to the outcome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, thanked the people of Puducherry and attributed the result to the NDA’s governance record and organisational strength, stating that the mandate reflects continued public trust in Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s leadership and the alliance’s work.
With all results declared, the NDA is set to form the government again in Puducherry.