Puducherry Set to Go to Polls Tomorrow with High-Profile Face-Off in 2 Seats
Thattanchavady – Two Former CMs Face Off
As Puducherry prepares for its Assembly elections on April 9, two constituencies are garnering significant attention due to prominent candidates. In Thattanchavady, a notable contest is unfolding between incumbent Chief Minister N Rangasamy, the founder of the All India NR Congress (AINRC), and Congress MP V Vaithilingam, a former Chief Minister of the Union Territory.
Thattanchavady has been a stronghold for Rangasamy over the years. He won the seat four times consecutively from 1991 to 2006 while representing the Congress party. In 2011, he launched the AINRC ahead of the elections. In subsequent elections in 2011 and 2016, Ashok Anand, a candidate from Rangasamy’s party, secured victories. The seat briefly shifted to the DMK in the 2019 by-election when K Venkatesan won. However, in the 2021 Assembly election, Rangasamy successfully reclaimed the seat, earning 12,978 votes, while CPI candidate K Sethu garnered 7,522 votes.
Lawspet: TVK Disrupts An Old Rivalry
In contrast, Lawspet has historically been a stronghold for the Congress party, which has won the seat most frequently since 1980. The constituency changed hands twice in the past: first in 1996 when the DMK won, and again in 2011 when the AINRC secured it. In the 2021 Assembly election, Congress leader M Vaithianathan won with a notable 14,592 votes against BJP’s V Saminathan, who received 8,891 votes.
This electoral cycle presents a different landscape in Lawspet as Tamil superstar Vijay’s newly launched party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is contesting for the first time. The party has nominated V Saminathan to challenge Vaithianathan. Meanwhile, VP Sivakolundhu will represent the AINRC in this constituency. Other candidates include R Rajangam from the CPM and K Jeya Chithra from the NTK.
Election Schedule and Results
The elections for the Puducherry Assembly are set to take place on April 9, with voters selecting representatives for 30 MLAs. The results are scheduled to be announced on May 4, marking a crucial moment for the candidates and their respective parties.
