The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to retain power in the Union territory of Puducherry, securing a second consecutive term as counting for the April 9 assembly elections continues. The Union territory recorded a high voter turnout of 89.87% across its 30 constituencies.
NDA's Performance
NDA candidates have won or are leading in 15 constituencies, just one short of the majority mark of 16. Led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy of the All India NR Congress (AINRC), the NDA government would be the first to be re-elected in Puducherry since the Congress achieved the feat in 2006.
Seat-Sharing Arrangement
Under the seat-sharing agreement, the AINRC contested 16 seats, while the BJP fielded candidates in 14. The BJP also allotted two seats each to the AIADMK and Latchiya Jananagaya Katchi, and contested 10 constituencies. The alliance's candidates have shown strong performance across various constituencies.
Winners and Losers
- Winners: Mannadipet (A Namassivayam, BJP), Villianur (B Ravikoumar, AINRC), Thattanchavady (N Rangasamy, AINRC), Lawspet (VP Sivakolundhu, AINRC), Muthialpet (Vaiyapuri Manikandan, AINRC), Oupalam (A Anbalagan, AIADMK), Ariankuppam (C Aiyappan, AINRC), Embalam (E Mohamdaoss, AINRC), Nettapakkam (Rajavelu, AINRC), Nedungadu (Chandira Priyanga, AINRC lost), Karaikal North (PRN Thirumurugan, AINRC), Neravy TR Pattinam (TKSM Meentachisundaram, BJP), Yanam (Malladi Krishna Rao, AINRC).
- Leading: Kamaraj Nagar (Jose Charles Martin, LJK), Raj Bhavan (VP Ramalingame, BJP), Muthialpet (Vaiyapuri Manikandan, AINRC).
- Trailing: Orleampeth (A Gandhi, AIADMK), Manavely (Embalam R Selvam, BJP), Bahour (T Thiagarajan, AINRC), Thirunallar (GNS Rajasekaran, BJP).
- Lost: Oussudu (E Theeppainthan, BJP), Kadirkamam (KSP Ramesh, AINRC), Nellithope (A Jayakumar), Nedungadu (Chandira Priyanga, AINRC), Mahe (A Dineshan, BJP).
Counting is still in progress in several constituencies, including Thirubuvanai, Mangalam, Ozhukarai, Indira Nagar, Kalapet, Mudaliarpet, and Karaikal South.
Significance
This election marks a historic moment for Puducherry, as the NDA aims to become the first alliance to secure consecutive terms since the Congress did so in 2006. The high voter turnout reflects the keen interest of the electorate in the political future of the Union territory.
