Modi holds roadshow in poll-bound Puducherry, boosts NDA campaign

Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a leg-up to the National Democratic Alliance’s campaign for the April 9 Puducherry Assembly election by undertaking a major roadshow in the Union Territory on Friday (April 3, 2026).

Accompanied by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, founder of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), and Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Mr. Modi travelled in an open vehicle along a one-kilometre stretch from Ajantha Signal to Raja Theatre junction.

BJP Puducherry president and Raj Bhavan constituency candidate V. P. Ramalingam also joined the roadshow.

Large crowds, comprising BJP karyakartas and members of the public, lined the route, showering flower petals and raising slogans in support of the Prime Minister. Mr. Modi greeted supporters with folded hands, injecting fresh momentum to the alliance’s campaign. The atmosphere turned celebratory at several points, with chants of “Modi, Modi” echoing across the town, which was decked up with BJP flags.

The roadshow concluded at the Raja Theatre junction, after which the Prime Minister briefly interacted with Mr. Rangasamy before departing from Puducherry Airport around 6 p.m.

The visit marked Mr. Modi’s second visit to the Union Territory in the recent time. He had earlier visited on March 1 to inaugurate completed infrastructure projects and lay the foundation for new projects. The visit underlines the BJP-led NDA’s focus on retaining power in the Union Territory, where it has been in alliance with the AINRC since 2021.

For the April 9 Assembly election to the 30-member House, the alliance has retained its previous seat-sharing arrangement: AINRC is contesting 16 seats, BJP 10, while AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) are contesting two seats each.