AINRC-Led NDA Forms Government in Puducherry, Rangasamy Set for Fifth Term

N. Rangasamy on Friday met Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailasanathan and formally staked claim to form the government after being elected leader of the NDA legislature party in the Union Territory.

Rangasamy submitted a letter of support from the newly elected MLAs of the NDA alliance, seeking permission to form the government in Puducherry. According to a communication from the Lieutenant Governor's office, the claim has been forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for approval.

Sources said Rangasamy is expected to take oath as Chief Minister on May 13, marking his fifth term in office.

The All India N.R. Congress emerged as the biggest winner in the recently concluded Assembly elections, securing 12 of the 16 seats it contested. Its NDA ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, won four out of 10 seats.

Other NDA partners, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Latchia Jananayaga Katchi, won one seat each, taking the alliance tally to 18 seats in the 30-member Assembly. The NDA's strength is expected to rise further with the addition of three nominated members.

On the opposition side, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam secured five seats, while the Indian National Congress managed one. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, contesting in Puducherry for the first time, won two seats.

Earlier in the day, Rangasamy was unanimously elected leader of the NDA legislature party at a joint meeting attended by MLAs of all alliance partners.

The veteran leader had resigned as Chief Minister on Thursday and submitted his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor at Lok Bhavan, paving the way for the formation of the new government after the NDA's comfortable electoral victory.