Puducherry Assembly election 2026: AINRC and BJP finalise seat-sharing deal in Puducherry

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.

How Puducherry has voted since 2011

Mr. Mandaviya announced Mr. Rangasamy would head the NDA in Puducherry and the alliance would form the government. Every party has their own agenda and the AINRC has sought Statehood for Puducherry, he said, adding that this would figure in the election manifesto.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Puducherry for election campaigning, Mr. Mandaviya said.