The NDA surpassed the majority threshold in the 30-member Assembly by securing 18 seats. The All-India NR Congress (AINRC) stood out as the leading party, winning 12 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 4 seats. Both the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK) obtained one seat each.
The opposition INDIA bloc achieved six seats, with the DMK claiming five and the Congress securing one. Independents took three seats, while minor parties accounted for the remaining outcomes. AINRC founder N Rangasamy, who contested and won from two constituencies, is poised to become Chief Minister for an unprecedented fifth time.
The election saw a robust voter turnout of nearly 90%, highlighting significant political involvement in the Union Territory. Participation was notably high among both male and female voters, indicative of a closely monitored election.
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Prior to the election, the AINRC committed to intensifying efforts to obtain full statehood for Puducherry. This promise is a central aspect of the party’s manifesto, presented by Public Works Minister K Lakshminarayanan.
The manifesto details a combination of welfare initiatives and developmental plans, including the establishment of a cancer hospital via a charitable organization to offer free treatment.
Additionally, it aims to integrate Puducherry into the Central Finance Commission framework and expedite the long-overdue local body elections.
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Among significant pledges, AINRC has announced an LPG subsidy of ₹300 for Red Card holders and ₹150 for Yellow Card holders, along with a ₹10 per litre reduction in petrol prices.
The party also intends to broaden nutritious meal schemes for students in private schools and resume archaeological digs at Arikamedu, the historic Greco-Roman trading port.
Moreover, the manifesto includes extending health insurance to Yellow Card holders, introducing a ‘Family Register’ system, and offering free bus travel for women, including on electric buses.
Additionally, it proposes extending maternity leave for women employees from six to nine months.
