Puducherry elections 2026: AINRC-led NDA confirmed for second term; what this means for CM N Rangasamy

New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is all set to return to power in Puducherry and become the first sitting government in the union territory to secure re-election since Congress accomplished the feat in 2006.Counting of votes for the April 9 parliamentary election took place on Monday, with a turnout of 89.87%, the highest turnout in the former French colony since its merger with India in 1964.The NDA won or was leading in 18 of the 30 constituencies, with two constituencies above the majority. chief minister N RangasamyThe All India NR Congress (AINRC) has bagged 10 seats and is leading in two more. Among its allies, the BJP won four seats while one candidate each from AIADMK and LJK also emerged victorious.Under the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement, AINRC contested 16 constituencies while the BJP bagged 14 constituencies, with the AIADMK and LJK allotted two seats each.

What this win means for Rangasamy and AINRC

The victory cemented Rangasamy’s position as the supreme leader of Puducherry. The longest-serving chief minister, he will return to the NDA government for a second consecutive term and his fifth term. He won the two constituencies of Tatanchawadi and Mangalam.It will also strengthen his standing in the National Democratic Alliance, which has been divided ahead of the polls over issues such as the BJP’s inclusion of the Liberal Democrats in the alliance. LJK was founded by businessman Jose Charles Martin, son of “lottery king” Santiago Martin.Another source of friction is the refusal by the BJP-led Center to grant statehood to Puducherry. The region’s federal territory status means the lieutenant governor, representing the president of India, can veto or bypass the elected government. Becoming the dominant partner would allow Rangasamy to push the issue more decisively.This victory will also help AINRC avoid a Bihar-like situation in Puducherry. In the Bihar assembly polls held in November last year, the BJP emerged as the largest party for the first time, with its ally JD(U) in second place. Nonetheless, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, who has led the state for more than two decades, returned as chief minister for his tenth term.However, Kumar’s transfer to the Lok Sabha earlier this month paved the way for the BJP to secure its first chief minister in the state, with Samrat Chaudhry succeeding him in the top job.Durie succeeded him in the top job.