RIDING a pro-incumbency wave, the AINRC-led NDA emerged victorious in the April 9 Puducherry Assembly elections, all set to form the Government for a successive term. AINRC leader and Chief Minister N Rangasamy won from both the seats that he contested--Thattanchavady and Mangalam, even as the party won a total of 11 seats and was leading in one, according to latest Election Commission figures. (9 wins, 2 leads). With the halfway mark set at 16, the NDA's performance ensures a stable path to forming the next government before the current Assembly term expires on June 15. Following closely is Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), with two wins and three more seats in the lead, totalling five seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also made its presence felt, winning two seats and leading in two others, bringing its total to four. Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), though not a major contender, has secured two wins, while Indian National Congress (INC) has claimed one seat.

 

Other smaller parties, such as Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have each secured a single seat. Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NYMK), while not securing any wins, remains in the contest with one seat leading. Independent candidates have also managed to gain three seats, but do not have any leading seats. The halfway mark in this election is set at 16 seats. The NDA alliance in Puducherry is led by the All India N R Congress (AINRC) and includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK). The current term of the 30-member Puducherry Legislative Assembly is set to expire on June 15. As the counting of votes continues on May 4, the final results are expected to shape the future political landscape of the Union Territory.