A fragmented opposition, All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder and chief minister N Rangasamy's charisma and his govt's freebies ensured NDA retained power in the Union territory of Puducherry.
The opposition parties, Congress, DMK and others, failed to present a unified front against the mightier AINRC-BJP-AIADMK-LJK combine.Congress fielded candidates in five constituencies allotted to its alliance partner DMK, leading to confusion among functionaries and cadres of the two parties and voters alike.
And INDIA bloc was decimated in the polls. Rangasamy, who won in both the seats he contested, is set to become CM for a record fifth time. Apart from his maiden poll in 1990, Rangasamy had won all the eight assembly elections he contested since 1991.NDA won 18 seats (AINRC-12, BJP-4, AIADMK-1 and LJK-1). A total of 16 seats is required for a simple majority in the 30-member House. The INDIA bloc won six seats (DMK-5 and Congress-1). Several seats witnessed neck-and-neck battles. Independent candidates won three seats.
Read moreLJK founder Jose Charles Martin won from the Kamaraj Nagar constituency in Puducherry on Monday, defeating Congress candidate P K Devadoss.
LJK is an alliance partner in the AINRC-led NDA in the Union Territory.
According to Election Commission data, Martin secured 16,592 votes, while Devadoss received 10,205 votes.
Riding a pro-incumbency wave, the AINRC-led NDA secured a decisive victory in the April 9 Puducherry Assembly elections and is set to retain power in the Union Territory for another term.
AINRC chief and Chief Minister N Rangasamy registered wins from both constituencies he contested — Thattanchavady and Mangalam. According to the latest Election Commission figures, the party won 11 seats and was leading in one more constituency.
Polling for all 30 Assembly seats in Puducherry was held on April 9. The territorial Assembly also has three nominated members.
Among NDA allies, the BJP won four seats, while the AIADMK and LJK secured one seat each.
Senior BJP leader and incumbent minister A Namassivayam was among the party’s prominent winners.
The NDA’s victory in Puducherry came on a day when actor Vijay-led TVK posted a strong performance in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and also won two seats in the Union Territory.
Puducherry, located around 160 km from Chennai, is bordered by Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidates B Ramu and Sai J Saravanan Kumar on Monday won from the Manavely and Thirubuvanai Assembly constituencies respectively in Puducherry.
The Assembly elections in the Union Territory were held on April 9. The polls marked the electoral debut of the TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.
According to Election Commission data, Ramu secured 13,882 votes in Manavely, defeating Embalam Selvam of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who polled 10,729 votes.
Selvam had served as the speaker of the outgoing Assembly.
In Thirubuvanai, Sai J Saravanan Kumar of TVK won after securing 9,740 votes, while B Kobiga of the Indian National Congress received 9,039 votes.
Puducherry has a 30-member Assembly, and the All India N.R. Congress-led NDA is expected to retain power in the Union Territory.
"Congratulations to the entire BJP family on the impressive election results, with West Bengal marking a historic & decisive victory that stands out as truly remarkable. The outcomes from Assam and Puducherry further reflect people's continued faith in development and strong governance," Chadha wrote on X.
"This victory stands as a testament to the decisive leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, the strategic vision of Hon'ble HM Shri @AmitShah Ji, and the dedicated efforts of BJP National President Shri @NitinNabin Ji. Congratulations to the entire BJP family on the impressive election results, with West Bengal marking a historic & decisive victory that stands out as truly remarkable," it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked the people of Puducherry after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retained power in the Union Territory in the Assembly elections.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the people had once again backed the NDA because of its governance record and the leadership of Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
"Thank you Puducherry! Based on our track record of good governance and the work of the Government led by Shri N. Rangasamy, the people of Puducherry have blessed NDA with another term. These blessings will add momentum to our collective efforts to boost good governance," he said.
In the 30-member Puducherry Assembly, the NR Congress secured 12 seats, while the BJP won four. Ally AIADMK bagged one seat.
On the opposition side, the DMK won five seats and the Congress secured one. TVK, contesting its first election, also opened its account with two seats.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to return to power in Puducherry and become the Union territory’s first incumbent government to secure re-election since Congress accomplished the feat in 2006.
The victory cements Rangasamy’s position as Puducherry’s tallest leader. Already the longest-serving chief minister, he is set to return for a second consecutive term at the helm of an NDA government, and his fifth term overall. He won both his constituencies, Thattanchavady and Mangalam.
The NDA has widened its advantage, winning 11 seats and leading in 4 more, taking its tally to 15 in the 30-member Assembly. The trend puts the alliance firmly on course to retain power in Puducherry.
Read full storyThe All India NR Congress (AINRC)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to retain power in the Union territory of Puducherry. Counting of votes for the 30 assembly constituencies began at 8am on Monday.
The 2026 assembly polls recorded a historic voter turnout of 91.23%.NDA comprising AINRC, BJP, AIADMK and LJK has won three seats and is leading in 19 seats.A total of 16 seats is required for a simple majority in the 30-member House.