Puducherry Assembly election 2026: AINRC fixes candidates for 16 seats

The AINRC has released its candidates for its complement of 16 seats for the April 9 Assembly elections with party supremo and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy contesting from his bastion of Thattanchavady and Mangalam.

The notable exclusions from the list are Tourism Minister K. Lakshminarayanan and Agriculture Minister C. Djeacoumar.

Among the sitting MLAs seeking re-election from their constituencies are Deputy Speaker P. Rajavelu from Nettapakkam (SC), Government Whip V. Aroumougame from Indira Nagar, S. Ramesh from Kadirgamam, Culture Minister PRN Thirumurugan from Karaikal North and former Transport Minister S. Chandirapriyanga from Nedungadu.

Vaiyapuri Manikandan, who quit the AIADMK and joined the AINRC, will contest from Muthialpet.

The AINRC has fielded former Health Minister Malladi Krishnarao in Yanam, former Speaker VP Sivakolundhu in Lawspet, B. Gobika in Thirubhuvanai (SC), K. Narayanasamy in Ozhukarai, B. Ravicoumar in Villianur, E. Mohandoss from Embalam (SC), T. Thiyagarajan from Bahour and C. Aiyappan from Ariankuppam.