The All India N.R. Congress has emerged as the single largest party in Puducherry with 12 seats, helping the BJP-led NDA retain power in the Union Territory.
All India N.R. Congress – 12
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – 5
Bharatiya Janata Party – 4
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam – 2
Indian National Congress – 1
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – 1
Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi – 1
Neyam Makkal Kazhagam – 1
Independents – 3
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With the AINRC-BJP combine crossing the majority mark comfortably, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy is set to continue in power, while the opposition remains fragmented despite the DMK emerging as the second-largest party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters in Puducherry after the NDA secured another term, crediting the governance record of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. In a post on X, Modi said the mandate reflects “outstanding governance achievements” and the performance of the Rangasamy-led government, adding that the victory will provide “fresh impetus” to further strengthen good governance.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy emerged victorious from the Thattanchavady constituency, as vote-counting progressed through the day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) website stated. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by All India N. R. Congress in currently leading in 9 of the 30 seats in Puducherry as per the ECI. Polling in the UT was held on April 9 in a single phase, and a historical record 91.23% of voters turned out to vote. Out of all the voters, the voter turnout of women (91.33%) was higher than that of men (88.09%).
The election was fought across 30 seats in the UT, and a party needs to win 16 seats to form a majority. In the last election in 2021, the NDA won exactly 16 seats and formed the government.
History behind Puducherry elections
Even though Puducherry is a Union Territory, it has its own Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister. Most Union Territories in India are run by administrators appointed by the central government and have no elected legislature. Puducherry is different because of a law passed in 1963, which gave it its own assembly. This was done to honour an agreement with France, as Puducherry was formally transferred from French to Indian control through the Treaty of Cession signed on May 28, 1956. The transfer covered Puducherry, Yanam, Mahe, and Karaikal.
This special status is protected under Article 239A of the Constitution. While Puducherry’s assembly has wide powers, any law it passes can be overruled by Parliament. Today, only Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir have legislatures among all Union Territories in India.
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Exit polls
The exit polls projected an advantage for the AINRC-led alliance, with most placing it comfortably ahead of the Congress combine.
Praja Poll gave AINRC 19-25 seats, against 6-10 for the Congress. Kamakhya Analytics gave 17-24 seats to the AINRC, and 4-7 to the Congress alliance, also factoring in a marginal presence of the TVK (1-2). Axis My India projected a closer contest, but still placed AINRC in the lead at 16-20 seats, with Congress at 6-8, and TVK at 2-4. Peoples Pulse, too, put the AINRC ahead with 16-19 seats, while giving the Congress alliance 10-12 seats.
The counting of votes for all the five Assemblies —West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam — will be taken up on May 4. Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29.
