Double-engine NDA govt fulfilled Puducherry people’s aspirations: Modi

PUDUCHERRY: Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the double-engine NDA govt in the Union territory of Puducherry has fulfilled the aspirations of the people over the last five years. In a post on X on Saturday, Modi said, “Over the last 5 years, the double-engine NDA govt has fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Puducherry. That is why the people of Puducherry are going to bless the NDA yet again”. He said he is looking forward to joining the ‘Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot Samvaad, Puducherry’ (online) at 5.30pm on March 30. Modi is likely to visit Puducherry in the first week of April to campaign for the candidates of the NDA for the 2026 assembly polls.

He last visited Puducherry on March 1 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 2,700 crore. Meanwhile, All India NR Congress (AINRC) president and chief minister N Rangasamy commenced the campaign on Friday at Thattanchavady, one of the two constituencies he is contesting in the 2026 assembly polls. AINRC leads the NDA in Puducherry. It is contesting 16 seats in the 30-member assembly, while the BJP is contesting 10 and AIADMK and LJK two each.

Infighting prevails on the opposition INDIA bloc, as its constituents face each other in a friendly contest. Congress is contesting in 16 seats while DMK is contesting from 13 and VCK from one. VCK quit the alliance and is contesting the polls independently in three assembly constituencies. Congress candidates in a few constituencies that were allotted to its alliance partners refused to withdraw their nominations, leading to a friendly fight with DMK, VCK, CPM and CPI in those constituencies. AINRC and BJP formed the coalition govt in 2021 after the Congress splinter group bagged 10 seats and the saffron party six, gaining a simple majority in the 30-member assembly. On the opposition side, DMK won six and Congress two. A record number of six independents were elected to the assembly.