PUDUCHERRY: The All India NR Congress (AINRC)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to retain power in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Counting of votes for the 30 assembly constituencies commenced at 8 am on Monday.
High Voter Turnout and Early Trends
The 2026 assembly polls recorded a historic voter turnout of 91.23%. The NDA, which comprises the AINRC, BJP, AIADMK, and LJK, has secured three seats and is leading in 19 others. A simple majority in the 30-member House requires 16 seats.
Key Victories for AINRC
N Rangasamy, AINRC founder and incumbent chief minister, registered a comfortable victory in the Thattanchavady constituency. He won by a margin of 4,441 votes over his nearest rival, E Vinayagam of the Neyam Makkal Katchi. This margin is notably wider than his 2021 performance. Congress candidate V Vaithilingam finished a distant fourth, polling only 2,990 votes.
In the Embalam constituency, AINRC candidate E Mohandoss won by 4,061 votes. He polled 16,017 votes, while his nearest rival, Congress candidate M Candassamy, polled 11,956 votes. In the Ariyankuppam constituency, AINRC candidate C Aiyappan alias Mouttayappan won by a narrow margin of 603 votes. He polled 14,210 votes, while Congress candidate Vizayalakshmy Djeamourthy polled 13,607 votes.
INDIA Bloc and Independent Candidates
The INDIA bloc, comprising the Congress, DMK, and VCK, is leading in five seats, while independent candidates are ahead in three seats. The bloc is engaged in neck-and-neck battles in several constituencies, where margins remain extremely slim.
TVK Emerges as Kingmaker
The newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, has emerged as a potential kingmaker in several close contests. TVK candidates have secured thousands of votes, significantly impacting the winning margins between the two major alliances.
Conclusion
With the NDA comfortably ahead, Puducherry is set to continue with its current ruling alliance. The final results will be known as counting progresses.
