BJP Announces Candidates for Puducherry Assembly Elections
As the Puducherry assembly elections approach, the BJP has unveiled its list of candidates, featuring prominent names such as Home Minister A. Namassivayam. The party's strategic alliances and seat allocations with AIADMK are also highlighted. With voting scheduled for April 9 and results to be declared on May 4, this election is set to be a significant event in the region's political landscape. Read on to learn more about the candidates and the electoral dynamics at play.
Mar 21, 2026, 14:35 IST
BJP Unveils Candidate List Ahead of Puducherry Elections
With just a few days left for the Puducherry assembly elections, the BJP has released a list of nine candidates on Saturday. According to this announcement, A. Namassivayam, the Home Minister of Puducherry, will contest from Mannadipet. The party has also fielded PML Kalyanasundaram from Kalapet and GNS Rajasekharan from Thirunallar. The list indicates that A. Namassivayam will run from Mannadipet, VP Ramalingam from Raj Bhavan, and A. Johnkumar from Mudaliarpet.
Embalam R. Selvam will contest from Manaveli, while TKS M. Meenachisundaram will run from Neravi T.R. Pattinam, and A. Dinesh will contest from Mahe. E. Theppanthan will stand for election from the reserved seat for Scheduled Castes in Osudu. On Friday, the ruling AIADMK and the BJP-AIADMK alliance reached an agreement regarding the assembly elections in the Union Territory, where AIADMK will contest 16 seats and BJP will contest the remaining 14.
On Friday, Puducherry Chief Minister and AIADMK leader N. Rangasamy met with BJP leader and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a private hotel, finalizing the arrangements. According to AIADMK sources, the BJP has allocated two seats each to AIADMK and the Lakshya Jananayaga Kachi (LJK). Although Rangasamy had previously stated that LJK, led by Jos Charles Martin, should not be included in the NDA led by AIADMK, he agreed to include LJK in the alliance after discussions with the Union Minister.
In the 2021 assembly elections, AIADMK contested 16 seats and won 10, while BJP contested nine seats and secured six victories. AIADMK contested five seats but did not win any. Voting for the 30 seats will take place in a single phase on April 9, with results expected to be announced on May 4.