The 2026 assembly elections in Puducherry have become a closely watched contest, with a record voter turnout of 89.83 per cent, several tight contests and the entry of new politicians adding to the unpredictability. All 30 seats are scheduled to be counted on May 4. The main contest is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-BJP-led National Development Alliance and the Congress-Democratic Movement alliance, with several high-profile leaders from key constituencies that could decide the government.
Heavyweights to Watch
N Rangasamy (AINRC): Thattanchavady, MangalamRangasamy is the Chief Minister of Puducherry and founder of AINRC, having served as Chief Minister for multiple terms (2001-2008, 2011-2016 and since 2021). He is contesting two seats, with Tatanchawadi seen as a key battleground.V Vaithilingam (Congress): ThattanchavadyFormer chief minister (1991-96, 2008-11) and senior Congress leader Vaithilingam is directly contesting against CM Rangasamy for a key seat.A Namassivayam (BJP): MannadipetNamashiwayam, the state’s home minister and senior BJP leader, is a key figure in Manadipet’s bid for the NDA in the key rural constituency.R Siva (DMK): VillainSiva, leader of the Opposition and senior DMK leader, was a key figure in the Congress-DMK alliance campaign.Vice President Ramalingam (BJP): Raj BhavanRamalingam is the president of the Puducherry Bharatiya Janata Party and a nominated member of Parliament. He was appointed to the House of Representatives in 2021 after joining the BJP. He was later promoted to the party’s state unit chief in 2025 and is considered one of the party’s key organizational figures in Union Territories.AMH. Nazim (DMK): KarakalnanThe veteran DMK leader with long experience in Karaikal region is an important opposition candidate.A Johnkumar (BJP): MudaliarpetCabinet minister and former Congress leader John Kumar represents the BJP in Puducherry after switching parties ahead of the 2021 assembly elections. He is a prominent candidate of the NDA and has previously won assembly elections from Puducherry constituency, including as an MP.R Senthilkumar (DMK): BahurThe DMK MLA from Bahur is a rural constituency that was hotly contested in the recent elections. He represented the DMK in a seat that the party had narrowly won in 2021, making it one of the party’s key constituencies in the Union Territory.C AINRC – AriankuppamSenior AINRC leader and sitting MP from Ariankuppam, coastal constituency of Puducherry. He has ties to the party’s organizational base in the region and is running for the seat again.PRN Thirumurugan (AINRC): Karaikal NorthHe is a three-time winner and senior AINRC leader who has represented Kalikkal North District Council on several occasions and is one of the party’s experienced faces in Kalikkal region.
