Chief Minister N Rangasamy secured a decisive victory from the Thattanchavady constituency, defeating former chief minister and veteran leader V Vaithilingam by a margin of 4,441 votes. The contest transformed Thattanchavady into a dramatic theater of regional power, as Rangasamy, representing the AINRC, sought to defend his political home against two high-profile challengers.
High-Stakes Three-Way Battle
In a major strategic move, the Congress-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) fielded former chief minister V Vaithilingam, setting up a rare and historic direct clash between two of Puducherry's most influential political figures. The race was further complicated by E Vinayagam, who contested under the Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NMK) banner as part of its alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), positioning himself as a disruptive alternative to the traditional binary.
Thattanchavady: A Political Stronghold
Thattanchavady, one of the key assembly constituencies in Puducherry, is an urban seat located in the central part of the union territory. Known for its established residential areas and strong political significance, it is widely regarded as Rangasamy's political stronghold. In the 2021 assembly elections, Rangasamy won the seat by defeating K Sethu Selvam with a margin of 5,456 votes. However, the constituency has experienced unique political volatility. In 2016, Ashok Anand won the seat, but his subsequent disqualification led to a 2019 by-election won by K Venkatesan of the DMK, briefly breaking the AINRC's direct hold. Despite these shifts, Thattanchavady remains a cornerstone of regional power.
Voter Turnout Surge
Reflecting the high-stakes environment, the constituency recorded a notable jump in voter engagement. The voter turnout reached 82.44%, a significant increase compared to 76.89% in the 2021 elections. This surge underscores the intense interest and competition surrounding the seat.
2026 Puducherry Assembly Elections
The 2026 Puducherry assembly elections took place on April 9, recording a historic overall voter turnout of 91.23%. Results were declared on May 4. The contest shifted from a traditional two-way battle into a high-stakes three-way struggle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the AINRC and BJP; the SPA, anchored by the Congress and DMK; and the newly formed TVK–NMK alliance headed by actor-politician Vijay.
Other Key Races
In Tamil Nadu, Vijay's TVK party emerged as a formidable force, pushing the DMK and AIADMK to the margins. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lagged behind Suvendu Adhikari after the second round in Bhabanipur, while the BJP appeared poised to oust the Trinamool Congress in Bengal and retain Assam. The BJP also secured a decisive victory in Assam, winning 293 out of 294 seats in West Bengal, with a majority of 148 seats. In Kerala, the United Democratic Front (UDF) won all 140 seats, with a majority of 71.
For the latest updates on election results 2026, including live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends, and full coverage for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, follow Times of India.
