AINRC and BJP finalise seat-sharing deal in Puducherry
The Hindu
AINRC and BJP finalize a seat-sharing deal for the Puducherry Assembly elections, ensuring a united NDA alliance.
The ruling All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) and BJP on Friday (March 20, 2026) finalised a seat-sharing deal for the April 9 Puducherry Assembly election.
As per the agreement, the AINRC headed by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy will contest in 16 Assembly constituencies. The BJP is expected to contest 10 seats, while the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) floated by businessman Jose Charles Martin and the AIADMK are likely to contest two seats each.
After filing his nomination papers to contest from Thattanchavady and Mangalam assembly constituencies, Mr. Rangasamy met Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister and BJP’s in-charge for Puducherry, at a hotel.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rangasamy reaffirmed the unity of parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). “We remain in the NDA with no changes. We will contest elections together.”
He highlighted the announcement of projects to the tune of ₹3,000 crore during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Puducherry and continued welfare for Puducherry under NDA rule.
Mr. Rangasamy said a new party had also joined the NDA “on the advice of Union Home Minister Amit Shah”, strengthening the alliance. The number of seats each party will be contesting will be announced soon, he said.
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