TVK Enters Puducherry Polls Alone, Signals Strong Independent Political Identity

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has announced its decision to contest the upcoming 2026 Puducherry Legislative Assembly elections independently, releasing a full list of 30 candidates. The move marks the party’s first major electoral test as it steps into active politics in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The elections for the 30-member Assembly are scheduled to be held on April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4. The current term of the Legislative Assembly is due to expire on June 15, making the upcoming polls crucial for determining the political direction of the union territory. TVK’s decision to go solo signals its intent to establish an independent political identity without aligning with existing alliances.

The announcement comes amid a competitive political landscape shaped by past election outcomes. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the All India NR Congress emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam secured six seats. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress won six seats each, with voter turnout recorded at 84.8 per cent.

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Earlier, in the 2016 elections, the Congress had formed the government by securing a majority of 15 seats, followed by AINRC with eight seats. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won four seats, while the DMK managed two seats. The voter turnout during that election stood at 83.6 per cent, reflecting consistently high electoral participation in the region.

Meanwhile, the BJP has also stepped up its preparations, announcing a list of nine candidates as part of its alliance with AINRC. The party’s Central Election Committee finalised the candidates during a meeting held on March 18, with several key constituencies already witnessing intensified campaign activity ahead of the polls.

In another political development, independent MLA M. Sivasankar from the Ozhukarai constituency has joined the Congress in the presence of party leadership, adding a new dimension to the pre-election dynamics. As multiple parties gear up for the contest, the entry of Vijay’s TVK is expected to influence voter sentiment and potentially reshape the electoral landscape in Puducherry. 11

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