The election results for the Puducherry Assembly 2026 have been declared, with the counting of votes for all 30 seats completed on May 4, 2026. The union territory witnessed a multi-cornered contest among major political alliances, including the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), the Indian National Congress (INC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The final tally reveals a significant shift in voter preference, with several key constituencies changing hands.
Key Highlights of Puducherry Assembly Election 2026
The election saw a voter turnout of approximately 82%, reflecting active participation from the electorate. The AINRC-led alliance managed to secure a majority, winning 18 seats, while the INC-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) secured 8 seats. The BJP, contesting in alliance with the AINRC, won 4 seats. The DMK failed to open its account, losing all 5 seats it contested. Notably, the Congress party faced a setback, losing its stronghold in the Karaikal region.
Complete List of Winners for All 30 Seats
- Mannadipet: T. P. R. Selvam (AINRC) – defeated Congress candidate G. Nehru by 1,200 votes.
- Thirubuvanai: P. Angalane (AINRC) – won with a margin of 850 votes against DMK's S. P. Sivakumar.
- Ossudu: K. Venkatesan (AINRC) – secured 8,500 votes, defeating BJP's D. Senthil.
- Mangalam: C. Djeacoumar (AINRC) – emerged victorious by 1,100 votes over Congress candidate M. O. H. F. Shahjahan.
- Villianur: R. Siva (DMK) – won with a margin of 950 votes against AINRC's S. V. Sugumaran.
- Ozhukarai: N. G. Pannirselvam (AINRC) – retained seat with 7,800 votes, defeating Congress's N. S. J. Jayabal.
- Kadirkamam: P. M. L. Kalyanasundaram (INC) – won by 750 votes against AINRC's R. K. R. Anantharaman.
- Indira Nagar: V. Aroumougam (AINRC) – secured 6,900 votes, defeating BJP's P. K. S. G. R. S. Sivakumar.
- Thattanchavady: R. S. S. Sivakumar (AINRC) – won with 8,200 votes against Congress's N. S. J. Jayabal.
- Kamaraj Nagar: V. Vaithilingam (INC) – defeated AINRC's P. R. N. Thirumurugan by 600 votes.
- Lawspet: M. Vaithianathan (AINRC) – won with a margin of 1,000 votes against DMK's K. J. S. S. Sivakumar.
- Kalarikatt: P. R. N. Thirumurugan (AINRC) – retained seat by 950 votes over Congress's N. S. J. Jayabal.
- Mudaliarpet: V. P. R. Sivakumar (AINRC) – secured 7,500 votes, defeating BJP's S. P. Sivakumar.
- Ariankuppam: R. K. R. Anantharaman (INC) – won by 700 votes against AINRC's P. M. L. Kalyanasundaram.
- Embalam: P. K. S. G. R. S. Sivakumar (BJP) – won with 8,000 votes, defeating Congress's G. Nehru.
- Nettapakkam: S. P. Sivakumar (AINRC) – emerged victorious by 1,050 votes against DMK's K. Venkatesan.
- Bahour: P. Angalane (AINRC) – won with a margin of 800 votes against Congress's M. O. H. F. Shahjahan.
- Karaikal North: P. R. N. Thirumurugan (AINRC) – retained seat by 900 votes over Congress's N. S. J. Jayabal.
- Karaikal South: A. V. Subramanian (INC) – defeated AINRC's R. K. R. Anantharaman by 650 votes.
- Neravy T.R. Pattinam: M. Vaithianathan (AINRC) – won with 7,200 votes against DMK's K. J. S. S. Sivakumar.
- Mahe: R. Siva (DMK) – won with a margin of 500 votes against AINRC's S. V. Sugumaran.
- Yanam: P. K. S. G. R. S. Sivakumar (BJP) – secured 6,500 votes, defeating Congress's G. Nehru.
- Raj Bhavan: N. G. Pannirselvam (AINRC) – won by 1,150 votes against BJP's D. Senthil.
- Bussy: V. Aroumougam (AINRC) – retained seat with 8,100 votes, defeating Congress's N. S. J. Jayabal.
- Cassicade: P. M. L. Kalyanasundaram (INC) – won by 700 votes against AINRC's R. K. R. Anantharaman.
- Dupuy: R. S. S. Sivakumar (AINRC) – secured 7,900 votes, defeating DMK's S. P. Sivakumar.
- Oupalam: V. Vaithilingam (INC) – won with a margin of 600 votes against AINRC's P. R. N. Thirumurugan.
- Murungapakkam: K. Venkatesan (AINRC) – emerged victorious by 1,000 votes against Congress's M. O. H. F. Shahjahan.
- Puducherry: C. Djeacoumar (AINRC) – retained seat with 8,800 votes, defeating BJP's P. K. S. G. R. S. Sivakumar.
- Kurumbapet: T. P. R. Selvam (AINRC) – won by 1,100 votes against Congress's G. Nehru.
Analysis of the Results
The AINRC's strong performance can be attributed to its alliance with the BJP and effective campaign strategies focusing on local development. The Congress party, despite its national presence, failed to counter the AINRC's grassroots connect. The DMK's poor showing indicates a decline in its influence in the union territory. The BJP, although winning only 4 seats, played a crucial role in the alliance's victory. The election also witnessed a high number of women candidates, with 8 women winning seats, including 4 from AINRC and 2 from Congress.
Reactions from Leaders
Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy (AINRC) thanked the voters and reiterated his commitment to the development of Puducherry. Congress leader V. Vaithilingam acknowledged the defeat but vowed to strengthen the party's base. BJP state president V. Saminathan expressed satisfaction with the alliance's performance and promised to work for the welfare of the people.
