Seat talks begin in Puducherry as CM Rangasamy meets BJP’s Mandaviya

Puducherry’s political atmosphere is beginning to warm up ahead of the next Assembly elections, with early discussions on alliance strategy and seat sharing already underway. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday met Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , who has been appointed as the election in charge for the BJP in the Union Territory, to deliberate on key poll-related matters.

According to sources in the BJP, the meeting focused largely on seat-sharing arrangements and coordination within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Puducherry. Rangasamy, who leads the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) and heads the coalition government in the Union Territory, briefed Mandaviya on his party’s position regarding the upcoming election.

Sources said the AINRC is likely to contest 16 of the 30 Assembly seats , the same number it contested in the 2021 Assembly elections . In that poll, the party secured 10 seats , strengthening its position as the leading partner in the ruling alliance.

The remaining 14 seats are expected to be shared among the BJP and other NDA partners , including the AIADMK , which is also part of the alliance in the Union Territory. In the previous election, the BJP contested nine seats and won six , while the AIADMK contested five seats but did not win any seat .

The AINRC and BJP later came together to form the government, with Rangasamy continuing as Chief Minister.

Friday’s meeting was also attended by Puducherry PWD Minister K. Lakshminarayanan of the AINRC and Nirmal Kumar Surana , the BJP’s party in charge for Puducherry.

Speaking to reporters after the discussions, Rangasamy said the talks were “smooth and cordial” , indicating that the alliance partners are keen to maintain unity ahead of the election.

While the Election Commission has not yet announced the poll schedule, political observers expect the Puducherry Assembly elections to be held in April-May 2026 , around the time the current Assembly’s term comes to an end.

The initial round of consultations suggests that NDA allies are moving early to finalise seat-sharing arrangements, aiming to enter the election with a coordinated strategy.