Puducherry | May 4, 2026
The All India N. R. Congress (AINRC) is heading towards a return to power in Puducherry, with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy securing a comfortable victory in Thattanchavady as counting trends strengthen the NDA’s position.
As of early afternoon trends, AINRC is leading in 8 seats and has won 1, putting the alliance in a strong position in the 30-member Assembly.
Rangasamy Registers Big Win
In the high-profile Thattanchavady seat, Rangasamy defeated his rivals with a margin of over 4,400 votes, improving on his previous performance and reinforcing his political dominance in the Union Territory.
Key Seat Wins & Upsets
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins Mannadipet with a margin of over 6,000 votes
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) snatches Nellithope from BJP in a close contest
- Indian National Congress (Congress) wins Oussudu, marking a key gain
Close Fights Continue
Several constituencies remain tightly contested:
- Yanam: AINRC vs Congress with a narrow margin (~700 votes)
- Villianur: AINRC leads DMK by less than 500 votes
- Lawspet: Neck-and-neck battle between AINRC and Congress
Notably, smaller players like TVK are emerging as vote splitters, influencing margins in multiple seats.
Battle Lines: NDA vs INDIA Bloc
The contest in Puducherry is shaped by:
- NDA Alliance: AINRC + BJP + AIADMK
- INDIA Bloc: Congress + DMK + VCK
With 294 candidates across 30 seats, the election reflects a multi-cornered contest with fragmented vote share.
