On July 14, 2025, BJP legislator A John Kumar, representing Kamaraj Nagar, was sworn in as a minister in Puducherry’s AINRC-BJP coalition government. The ceremony, held at Raj Nivas, saw Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan administer the oath in Tamil. Official sources noted that Kumar’s portfolio would be disclosed later.

The induction restores Chief Minister N Rangasamy’s ministry to its full strength of six, filling the gap left by A K Sai J Saravanan’s resignation on June 27. Puducherry Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan announced the appointment, referencing a July 11 Home Ministry notification.

The event was attended by key figures, including Chief Minister Rangasamy, Home Minister A Namassivayam, and BJP in-charge Nirmal Kumar Surana. Kumar, 60, a former Congress member, switched to the BJP during the 2021 Assembly elections, marking a significant political shift.

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