Ahmedabad Times

Puducherry’s 2026 Meeting elections have was a intently watched contest, with a file voter turnout of 89.83 per cent, a number of razor-thin contests, and the entry of latest political gamers including unpredictability. Counting is about for Could 4 for all 30 seats. The principle contest is between the ruling AINRC-BJP-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with a number of high-profile leaders contesting from key constituencies that would determine the federal government.

Heavyweights to be careful for

N Rangasamy (AINRC): Thattanchavady, MangalamChief minister of Puducherry and founding father of AINRC, Rangasamy has served a number of phrases as CM (2001–2008, 2011–2016, and since 2021). He’s contesting from two seats, with Thattanchavady seen as a key battleground.V Vaithilingam (Congress): ThattanchavadyFormer chief minister (1991–96, 2008–11) and senior Congress chief, Vaithilingam is straight contesting towards CM Rangasamy in a key seat.A Namassivayam (BJP): MannadipetState’s dwelling minister and senior BJP chief, Namassivayam is a key NDA face contesting from Mannadipet, an necessary rural constituency.R Siva (DMK): VillianChief of Opposition and senior DMK chief, Siva is a key determine within the Congress-DMK alliance marketing campaign.VP Ramalingam (BJP): Raj BhavanPuducherry BJP president and a nominated MLA within the Meeting, Ramalingam was appointed to the Home in 2021 after becoming a member of the BJP. He later rose to turn into the social gathering’s state unit chief in 2025 and is taken into account one of many key organisational figures of the social gathering within the Union Territory.AMH. Nazeem (DMK): Karaikal SouthVeteran DMK chief with lengthy expertise within the Karaikal area, an necessary opposition candidate.A Johnkumar (BJP): MudaliarpetCupboard minister and former Congress chief, Johnkumar represents the BJP in Puducherry after switching events forward of the 2021 Meeting elections. He’s a key NDA candidate and has beforehand received Meeting elections from Puducherry constituencies, together with as a Congress MLA.R Senthilkumar (DMK): BahourSitting DMK MLA from Bahour, a rural constituency that has seen shut contests in current elections. He represents the DMK in a seat that the social gathering received in 2021 with a slender margin, making it certainly one of its key constituencies within the Union Territory.C Aiyappan (AINRC) – AriankuppamSenior AINRC chief and sitting MLA from Ariankuppam, a coastal constituency in Puducherry. He has been related to the social gathering’s organisational base within the area and is contesting once more from this seat.PRN Thirumurugan (AINRC): Karaikal NorthThree-time winner and senior AINRC chief, he has represented Karaikal North in a number of Meeting phrases and is without doubt one of the social gathering’s skilled faces within the Karaikal area.