Puducherry CM N Rangasamy NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to return to power in Puducherry and become the Union territory’s first incumbent government to secure re-election since Congress accomplished the feat in 2006.Counting for the April 9 assembly polls was held on Monday, with the election recording an 89.87% turnout—the highest in the former French colony since its merger with India in 1964.The NDA has won or is leading in 18 of the 30 constituencies, two above the majority mark. Chief minister N Rangasamy’s All India NR Congress (AINRC) has secured 10 seats and is ahead in two more. Among its allies, the BJP has won four seats, while one candidate each from the AIADMK and Latchiya Jananagaya Katchi (LJK) has also emerged victorious.Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamWest BengalTamil NaduKeralaAssamPuducherry PreviousBJP WONWest BengalParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats293/294Total: 294Note: Repolling for the Falta assembly constituency in West Bengal has been scheduled for May 21.L + WMajority: 148BJP0AITC0CONG0CPI(M)0OTH0TVK LEADINGTamil NaduParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats234/234Total: 234L + WMajority: 118TVK0DMK0AIADMK0CONG0BJP0OTH0UDF WONKeralaParty ViewAlliance ViewResults140/140Total: 140ResultsMajority: 71CONG0CPI(M)0IUML0CPI0BJP0OTH0BJP WONAssamParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats126/126Total: 126L + WMajority: 64BJP0CONG0AGP0AIUDF0OTH0AINRC LEADINGPuducherryParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats30/30Total: 30L + WMajority: 16AINRC0DMK0BJP0CONG0OTH0 Next12345Source: PValueUnder the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement, the AINRC contested 16 constituencies, while the BJP got 14 constituencies, of which it allotted two seats each to the AIADMK and LJK.What the win means for Rangasamy and AINRCThe victory cements Rangasamy’s position as Puducherry’s tallest leader. Already the longest-serving chief minister, he is set to return for a second consecutive term at the helm of an NDA government, and his fifth term overall. He won both his constituencies, Thattanchavady and Mangalam.This would also strengthen his position within the NDA, where fissures had surfaced ahead of the polls over issues such as the BJP’s inclusion of the LJK in the alliance. The LJK was founded by businessman Jose Charles Martin, son of “lottery king” Santiago Martin.Another source of friction was the BJP-led Centre’s not accepting the popular demand to grant statehood to Puducherry. The region’s Union territory status means that the lieutenant governor—representing the President of India—can overrule or bypass the elected government. Becoming the dominant partner would enable Rangasamy to press the issue more assertively.The win would also help the AINRC avoid a Bihar-like scenario in Puducherry. In the Bihar assembly polls held in November last year, the BJP emerged as the largest party for the first time, with ally JD(U) in second place. Despite this, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar returned as chief minister for his 10th term, having led the state for over two decades.However, earlier this month, Kumar moved to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for the BJP to secure its first chief minister in the state, with Samrat Choudhary succeeding him in the top post.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.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 MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerousRihanna to Princess Diana: Best Met Gala looks of all timeNot your usual Kolkata trip: 5 rare and unconventional experiences every traveller should tryHeat draining you daily? Coconut water might be the simplest fix you’re ignoring, here’s whyThis simple 20-second habit can protect you from multiple diseases, doctors still swear by itHow to heal your inner child: 10 psychology-backed things you need to hearAre these cats even real? 5 rare colours and patterns that look straight out of a dreamThe world’s most stunning snakes that redefine beauty’Ghilli’ to ‘Leo’: Revisiting Trisha Krishnan and Vijay Thalapathy’s best on-screen moments123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay
NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to return to power in Puducherry and become the Union territory’s first incumbent government to secure re-election since Congress accomplished the feat in 2006.Counting for the April 9 assembly polls was held on Monday, with the election recording an 89.87% turnout—the highest in the former French colony since its merger with India in 1964.The NDA has won or is leading in 18 of the 30 constituencies, two above the majority mark. Chief minister N Rangasamy’s All India NR Congress (AINRC) has secured 10 seats and is ahead in two more. Among its allies, the BJP has won four seats, while one candidate each from the AIADMK and Latchiya Jananagaya Katchi (LJK) has also emerged victorious.Under the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement, the AINRC contested 16 constituencies, while the BJP got 14 constituencies, of which it allotted two seats each to the AIADMK and LJK.
What the win means for Rangasamy and AINRC
The victory cements Rangasamy’s position as Puducherry’s tallest leader. Already the longest-serving chief minister, he is set to return for a second consecutive term at the helm of an NDA government, and his fifth term overall. He won both his constituencies, Thattanchavady and Mangalam.This would also strengthen his position within the NDA, where fissures had surfaced ahead of the polls over issues such as the BJP’s inclusion of the LJK in the alliance. The LJK was founded by businessman Jose Charles Martin, son of “lottery king” Santiago Martin.Another source of friction was the BJP-led Centre’s not accepting the popular demand to grant statehood to Puducherry. The region’s Union territory status means that the lieutenant governor—representing the President of India—can overrule or bypass the elected government. Becoming the dominant partner would enable Rangasamy to press the issue more assertively.The win would also help the AINRC avoid a Bihar-like scenario in Puducherry. In the Bihar assembly polls held in November last year, the BJP emerged as the largest party for the first time, with ally JD(U) in second place. Despite this, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar returned as chief minister for his 10th term, having led the state for over two decades.However, earlier this month, Kumar moved to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for the BJP to secure its first chief minister in the state, with Samrat Choudhary succeeding him in the top post.
