NEW DELHI: A.M.H. Nazeem of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) successfully retained the Karaikal South seat in Puducherry, securing a decisive victory by a margin of 5,862 votes in the 2026 assembly elections. Nazeem polled 12,543 votes, defeating his nearest rival, AVS Sakthivel Prabu of the Indian National Congress, who garnered 6,681 votes.
Key Candidates and Vote Share
K.A.U. Assana of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) finished third with 4,346 votes, while M. Arul Murugan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trailed with 1,354 votes. Candidates from Naam Tamilar Katchi and independents secured marginal votes, with NOTA recording 142 votes. The results highlighted a fragmented opposition, allowing the DMK to consolidate its hold on the constituency.
Voter Turnout and Demographics
The coastal constituency, known for its mix of fishing communities, traders, and working-class voters, recorded a high turnout of 83.42%, a significant increase from 75.09% in the 2021 elections. Polling rose steadily throughout the day, reflecting strong voter engagement in a contest where the DMK defended its ground against a divided opposition.
Historical Context
Karaikal South has witnessed shifting political fortunes over the years. In 2016, the seat was won by a razor-thin margin of just 20 votes, while the DMK secured a decisive victory in 2021. The latest result reinforces the DMK's stronghold on the seat, despite challenges from emerging parties like TVK.
Election Trends
The 2026 elections in Puducherry saw high voter enthusiasm, with the DMK maintaining its dominance in key constituencies. The performance of TVK, led by actor Vijay, has been closely watched, as it emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu politics, pushing traditional parties like DMK and AIADMK to the margins in some regions. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the BJP appeared poised to oust Mamata Banerjee, while retaining Assam. For detailed coverage, follow the latest election results, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, and party-wise trends for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Times of India.
