BJP announces nine candidates for Puducherry polls
New Delhi, March 21
Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the upcoming Puducherry Legislative elections, which it is contesting in alliance with All India NR Congress.
The Central Election Committee of the BJP met on March 18 to decide on candidates in poll-bound states.
According to the list, A Namassivayam will contest from Mannadipet, while E Theeppainthan will contest from Oussoudu (SC). PML Kalyanasundaram will contest from Kalapet, VP Ramalingame from Raj Bhavan and A Johnkumar from Mudaliarpet.
Embalam R Selvam will contest from Manavely, GNS Rajasekaran from Thirunallar and A Dineshan from Mahe.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the completion of the first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections scheduled to be in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.
Once the final list of contesting candidates is prepared, the comprehensive records of both the first and second randomised EVMs and VVPATs will be shared with all candidates to ensure complete transparency in the electoral process, the release said.
Additionally, the EC has also concluded the randomisation process for the upcoming bye-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. These states are scheduled to go to the polls on April 9, with the final lists for both EVMs and VVPATs now randomised in preparation for the voting.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting mix of candidates. I appreciate the EC's focus on transparency with the EVM/VVPAT randomization. It's crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral process, especially in a Union Territory like Puducherry with its unique political landscape.
As someone from the South, I'm glad to see Puducherry getting attention. But I hope these candidates have a solid plan for the UT beyond just alliance politics. Water scarcity and preserving the French heritage are big issues there.
The candidate from Mudaliarpet, A Johnkumar, has a good reputation locally. Alliance strategy seems strong on paper. Let's see if it translates to votes. EC's process seems robust, which is good for democracy.
While I support the party, I have to respectfully say that announcing candidates is just step one. The real test is their work on the ground. Puducherry needs solutions for unemployment and better connectivity with Tamil Nadu. Hope they deliver.
The logistical planning for elections across multiple states and UTs is impressive. Coordinating EVMs for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and bye-polls simultaneously is a massive task. Kudos to the Election Commission for the detailed process.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.