Kamal Ghorui
Puducherry’s 2026 Assembly elections have turned into a closely watched contest, with a record voter turnout of 89.83 per cent, several razor-thin contests, and the entry of new political players adding unpredictability. Counting is set for May 4 for all 30 seats. The main contest is between the ruling AINRC-BJP-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with several high-profile leaders contesting from key constituencies that could decide the government.
Heavyweights to watch out for
N Rangasamy (AINRC): Thattanchavady, MangalamChief minister of Puducherry and founder of AINRC, Rangasamy has served multiple terms as CM (2001–2008, 2011–2016, and since 2021). He is contesting from two seats, with Thattanchavady seen as a key battleground.V Vaithilingam (Congress): ThattanchavadyFormer chief minister (1991–96, 2008–11) and senior Congress leader, Vaithilingam is directly contesting against CM Rangasamy in a key seat.A Namassivayam (BJP): MannadipetState’s home minister and senior BJP leader, Namassivayam is a key NDA face contesting from Mannadipet, an important rural constituency.R Siva (DMK): VillianurLeader of Opposition and senior DMK leader, Siva is a key figure in the Congress-DMK alliance campaign.VP Ramalingam (BJP): Raj BhavanPuducherry BJP president and a nominated MLA in the Assembly, Ramalingam was appointed to the House in 2021 after joining the BJP. He later rose to become the party’s state unit chief in 2025 and is considered one of the key organisational figures of the party in the Union Territory.AMH. Nazeem (DMK): Karaikal SouthVeteran DMK leader with long experience in the Karaikal region, an important opposition candidate.A Johnkumar (BJP): MudaliarpetCabinet minister and former Congress leader, Johnkumar represents the BJP in Puducherry after switching parties ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. He is a key NDA candidate and has previously won Assembly elections from Puducherry constituencies, including as a Congress MLA.R Senthilkumar (DMK): BahourSitting DMK MLA from Bahour, a rural constituency that has seen close contests in recent elections. He represents the DMK in a seat that the party won in 2021 with a narrow margin, making it one of its key constituencies in the Union Territory.C Aiyappan (AINRC) – AriankuppamSenior AINRC leader and sitting MLA from Ariankuppam, a coastal constituency in Puducherry. He has been associated with the party’s organisational base in the region and is contesting again from this seat.PRN Thirumurugan (AINRC): Karaikal NorthThree-time winner and senior AINRC leader, he has represented Karaikal North in multiple Assembly terms and is one of the party’s experienced faces in the Karaikal region.
