Puducherry: With the opposition fragmented, the charisma of All India National Congress (AINRC) founder and Chief Minister N Rangasamy and freebies from the government ensured that the NDA retained its position in Puducherry. The opposition parties failed to form a united front against the AINRC-BJPAIADMK-LJK combine. The Congress fielded candidates in the five constituencies allotted to the DMK, leading to confusion among workers, cadres and voters.
The NDA won 18 seats (AINRC-12, BJP-4, AIADMK-1, LJK-1), crossing the 16-seat majority mark in the 30-member House of Representatives. The Indian Bloc won six (DMK-5, Congress-1), while the Independents won three. Rangasamy won two contested seats and will become chief minister for a record fifth time.ALSO READ | Puducherry election results 2026: Complete list of winners and losers Political commentator K Murugan said: “Rangasamy’s victory was due to the appeal of the ‘Makkal mudalvar’ (people’s chief minister). He was approachable and had a down-to-earth image. His victory in Thattanchavady by a margin of 4,441 votes highlighted his personal popularity.”
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Welfare schemes and freebies – monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 to female parents, free food grains and increased savings under the Girl Child Protection Scheme – have also contributed. Internal friction in the Indian bloc, a disoriented campaign and confusion over seat allocation have weakened anti-incumbency forces; focus now turns to cabinet formation, with the BJP likely to seek the deputy prime minister’s post.
