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Congress’ V Vaithilingam; BJP’s A Johnkumar; DMK’s Vignesh Kannan NEW DELHI: The upcoming Puducherry assembly elections will see several candidates with strong political family backgrounds contesting across various constituencies. Puducherry assembly polls 2026 A total of 291 candidates are in the fray for the April 9 elections. Polling is held to elect 30 members of the 33-seat Puducherry legislative assembly, while the remaining three members are nominated by the central government. Puducherry assembly polls 2021 Prominent dynasty candidatesA Johnkumar: BJP leader A Johnkumar, a minister in the outgoing N Rangasamy-led government and the sitting MLA from Kamaraj Nagar, is contesting from Nellithope. He had earlier won the same seat as a Congress candidate in the 2016 elections. The constituency has remained under the family’s influence, with his son Richards Johnkumar winning it in 2021 on a BJP ticket. Dynasty candidates V Vaithilingam: A high-profile contest is set to take place in Thattanchavady, where former chief minister V Vaithilingam is contesting against the outgoing chief minister N Rangasamy. Vaithilingam, the son of Puducherry’s second chief minister V Venkatasubba Reddiar, is currently the Puducherry Congress president and the sitting Lok Sabha MP from the Union territory’s only Lok Sabha seat, also called Puducherry. The outcome of this contest is expected to have a bearing on the chief ministerial race. Watch Puducherry Elections 2026: TVK To Contest Solo, BJP and AINRC Alliance Finalises Seat-Sharing Vignesh Kannan: In the Raj Bhavan constituency, DMK candidate Vignesh Kannan is making his electoral debut. The son of former Puducherry minister P Kannan, he will take on Puducherry BJP chief VP Ramalingam in what is shaping up to be a closely watched contest.The alliancesThe elections will be a direct clash between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Congress-DMK alliance. The NDA in Puducherry is led by chief minister N Rangasamy’s All India NR Congress, which will contest 16 seats. The BJP has been given the remaining 14 constituencies, of which it has given two each to the AIADMK and businessman Jose Charles Martin’s newly formed Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK). Criminal cases The Congress and DMK will also contest under a similar arrangement of 16 and 14 seats, respectively.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Unprecedented, Decisive Action’: Rajnath Warns Pakistan Against Misadventure, Reminds Of Op SindoorIndian LPG Tanker Escapes Mined Hormuz Route, Sails Via Larak Amid WarChandigarh Blast Video Surfaces As Khalistan Threat Emerges, Security Agencies Launch Massive ProbeIndia Prepares For Oil Shock With 7 Big Steps As Trump Asks Others To Dare Hormuz To Get SuppliesPM Modi Puts Deesa Airbase In Strategic Focus, India’s Big Defence Push Near Pakistan Border’India Was On Verge Of Striking Before Pakistan Requested Halt During Op Sindoor’: Indian Navy ChiefVice Admiral A.N. 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