Puducherry Assembly election 2026: TVK candidates include two former BJP MLAs, a sitting legislator, an ex-cop

Of the 28 candidates fielded by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for the April 9 polls in the Union Territory, four are former legislators of various political parties, including the BJP, and one a sitting Independent MLA.

The prominent among the candidates nominated by the TVK are V. Saminathan fielded from Lawspet and A.K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar from Thirubhuvanai constituencies. While Mr. Saminathan was one of the longest serving presidents of the BJP Puducherry unit and a former nominated MLA of the party, Mr. Kumar had served as a Minister in the AINRC-BJP government. 

Mr. Kumar represented the reserved Ossudu Assembly constituency in the present Assembly. He joined the TVK only on Sunday after resigning from the BJP. While K. A. U. Asana fielded from Karaikal South is a former AIADMK legislator, Bahour candidate Dhanavelu is a former MLA of the Congress party. Another TVK nominee, Prakash Kumar is a sitting Independent legislator representing Muthialpet constituency. The TVK has fielded him from the same constituency. 

Also, noticeable is the nomination of V.J. Chandran from Raj Bhavan, a constituency that covers most prominent parts of the town, including Boulevard. A former officer, belonging to the Pondicherry Police Service, Mr. Chandran, retired as Inspector General of Police from Puducherry Police in 2023.