English
English
English
Assembly elections to the 30-member Union Territory of Puducherry in April are going to be interesting with the entry of businessman-turned-politician Jose Martin. However, the fight is expected to be mainly between the ruling NDA and the Opposition SPA, and it is likely that the incumbent Chief Minister Rangaswami of the NDA may retain power.
Amit Shah to Launch Puducherry Poll Campaign on Feb. 14
Karaikal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is all set to launch the Assembly election campaign in Puducherry on February 14, when he will address a public meeting at Karaikal. The Union Territory of Puducherry will witness elections in April to elect its representatives to the 30-member Assembly.
For Amit Shah’s public rally at Karaikal, massive arrangements are being made by BJP state in-charge Nirmal Kumar Surana, with a clear aim to win all the five Assembly seats in Karaikal.
The tenure of the Puducherry Assembly is scheduled to end on June 15, 2026. The Union Territory of Puducherry includes four districts—Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
TNPSC exam cancelled today due to hall ticket irregularities; Full details
The previous Assembly election was held in April 2021. After the election, the All India NR Congress-led NDA alliance formed the government after winning 16 out of 30 seats in the Assembly, with N Rangaswami sworn in as the Chief Minister.
The political scene in the state is fast shaping up, as there is going to be a keen contest between the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the Opposition SPA (Secular Progressive Alliance). While the NDA alliance includes NR Congress, BJP, AIADMK and PMK, the Opposition SPA is represented by DMK, Congress, CPI and others. While seat-sharing is in the final stage, manifestos are being finalised based on local issues.
During the last Assembly elections in 2021, it was a keen fight, with the NDA managing to win 18 seats along with independents. In the 30-member Assembly, NR Congress got 10 seats, BJP six seats, and the remaining went to independents.
The Opposition camp managed 12 seats, with DMK winning six, Congress two and others four. This time, the BJP is focusing heavily on the Union Territory to win as many seats as possible, while talks are continuing over seat-sharing between DMK, Congress and Left parties.
However, this time a new element has emerged in Puducherry’s electoral politics. A leading businessman of the region, Jose Charles Martin, is launching a political party—Latchiya Jananayager Katchi—and projecting himself as an alternative to the Union Territory’s established players. Jose Martin, widely dubbed the “Lottery King,” has varied business interests in real estate, sports, media, railways and technology.
