Puducherry, May 4: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has taken a clear lead in the Puducherry Assembly elections, securing key victories and establishing an advantage over the Congress-led alliance as counting progressed on Monday.
The BJP registered a significant win in the Mannadipet Assembly constituency, where candidate A. Namassivayam defeated Congress rival TPR Selvame by a margin of 6,110 votes. The result marks an improvement over his 2021 victory margin of 2,750 votes, indicating stronger voter consolidation in the constituency.
In another key development, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy retained the Thattanchavady seat with a margin of 4,441 votes. The victory reinforces his continued hold over the constituency and strengthens the position of the All India NR Congress (AINRC), a major partner in the NDA alliance in the Union Territory.
As counting continued across all constituencies, the NDA surged ahead with leads in 13 of the 30 Assembly seats, placing it in a commanding position. The AINRC emerged as the principal contributor within the alliance, accounting for the bulk of these leads, while the BJP added to the coalition’s strength with improved performance in select constituencies.
The Congress-led alliance, meanwhile, lagged behind in the early trends, managing leads in only six seats. Within this bloc, the DMK was ahead in three constituencies and the Congress in two, reflecting a fragmented showing that has so far failed to counter the NDA’s momentum.
Candidates outside the major alliances also registered notable presence in the ongoing count. Independents were leading in three constituencies, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, opened its account in Puducherry by leading in one seat.
These candidates, collectively accounting for four seats in early trends, could play a significant role if margins narrow in the later rounds of counting.
The results so far indicate a consolidation of support for the NDA, with both the BJP and AINRC strengthening their positions in key constituencies. The widening margin in Mannadipet and Rangasamy’s victory in Thattanchavady underline the alliance’s electoral advantage.
At the same time, the Congress-led front faces the challenge of closing the gap as counting progresses. The evolving trends suggest that the outcome may hinge on remaining rounds, particularly in closely contested seats.
With counting still underway, the NDA appears poised to maintain its lead, while opposition parties look to improve their standing in the remaining constituencies.
