Puducherry NDA Alliance Finalizes Seat-Sharing Formula for 2026 Assembly Elections
In a significant political development, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Union territory of Puducherry has officially concluded its seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming 2026 legislative assembly elections. The agreement was reached after high-level discussions held on Friday between Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP in-charge for Puducherry Nirmal Kumar Surana, and All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder and Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
Continuation of 2021 Electoral Pattern
The alliance has decided to maintain the exact same seat distribution pattern that was successfully implemented during the 2021 assembly polls. Under this arrangement, the AINRC will contest 16 assembly constituencies, while the BJP-led coalition will field candidates in the remaining 14 seats. This decision underscores the coalition's commitment to stability and continuity in its electoral strategy.
Nirmal Kumar Surana, while addressing reporters after the meeting, confirmed that the broad framework of the election strategy has been mutually agreed upon by all alliance partners. "The 2021 arrangement will be maintained without any alterations. The same procedure followed in the last election will continue this time as well," Surana stated emphatically.
Specific Constituency Allocations and Alliance Expansion
Surana further revealed that the final allocation of specific constituencies to each party within the alliance will be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. "We will finalize which party contests in which specific constituency within the next day or two," he announced, indicating that the technical details are being worked out with precision.
In a move that signals the growing strength of the coalition, Surana confirmed that the alliance is set to expand with the inclusion of new political entities. The Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) is poised to join the NDA fold, and Chief Minister Rangasamy has expressed no objections to its induction into the alliance. This expansion is expected to bolster the NDA's grassroots presence and voter base across Puducherry.
Ongoing Negotiations with AIADMK and PMK's Position
Discussions with the AIADMK are currently ongoing, according to Surana. In the previous 2021 election, the AIADMK was allocated five seats from the BJP's quota. The exact number of seats for the AIADMK in the 2026 polls will be determined after further rounds of dialogue and negotiation between the parties.
Regarding the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Surana clarified that while the party remains part of the alliance, it did not request any seats in the 2021 election and has not yet made any formal demands for the upcoming 2026 assembly polls. This indicates that the PMK's role within the coalition might remain supportive rather than contestatory.
Sharp Criticism of Opposition and Alliance Unity
Surana did not hesitate to launch a pointed attack on the rival Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), specifically targeting former Chief Minister V Narayanasamy. "It was Narayanasamy who brought the Congress down to just two seats in the last election. The people have already given their verdict," he remarked, dismissing the opposition's challenge as inconsequential given their previous electoral performance.
He also confirmed that the NDA remains a unified and cohesive bloc in Puducherry, with no internal discord. Furthermore, Surana categorically stated that there have been no discussions with actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) regarding any potential alliance in the Union territory, putting to rest any speculation about last-minute political realignments.
