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BJP Fields M Arulmurugan for Karaikal South in 2026 Puducherry Polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced M Arulmurugan as its candidate from the Karaikal South constituency for the 2026 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election. The party released a list of nine candidates it will field as part of its alliance with the All India NR Congress. The ruling NDA alliance has finalized its seat-sharing agreement, with AINRC contesting 16 seats and the BJP contesting 10. The election is scheduled for April 9, 2026, with vote counting on May 4.

Key Points: BJP Candidate for Karaikal South: Puducherry 2026 Elections

  • BJP fields 9 candidates
  • NDA seat-sharing pact finalised
  • Polls scheduled for April 9, 2026
  • AINRC to contest 16 seats
2 min read

BJP fields M Arulmurugan for Karaikal South candidacy for Puducherry legislative assembly elections

BJP names M Arulmurugan for Karaikal South in Puducherry's 2026 assembly polls. See full candidate list and NDA seat-sharing details.

"NDA partners AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) will contest on two seats each. - BJP"

New Delhi, March 22

Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded M Arulmurugan as its candidate from Karaikal South constituency for the upcoming Puducherry Legislative Assembly election 2026, the party said on Sunday.

Yesterday BJP released a list of nine candidates for the 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.

Earlier on Friday, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in Puducherry reached a seat-sharing agreement, with the All India N R Congress (AINRC) set to contest in 16 constituencies and the BJP on 10 seats in the April 9 Assembly elections.

According to the BJP, NDA partners AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) will contest on two seats each.

Chief Minister and NR Congress leader, N Rangasamy, after meeting Union Minister and BJP leader Mansukh Mandaviya, confirmed to continue their alliance with the BJP in the Union Territory.

The Union Territory of Puducherry is all set to hold the 2026 Assembly Election on April 9 in a single phase, with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory is set to expire on June 15.

In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress won six seats each. The voter turnout was recorded at 84.8 per cent.

While in the 2016 elections, Congress had secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK bagged four seats, and DMK got two seats, with voter turnout at 83.6 per cent.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting mix of candidates. I appreciate that the BJP is giving tickets to local faces like Arulmurugan. But I hope this isn't just about seat-sharing arithmetic and they actually have a solid plan for the UT's progress.
R
Rohit P
The alliance seems strong on paper. AINRC with 16, BJP with 10. They should easily cross the majority mark if they work together. Last time the split helped DMK. Voters want a stable government, not hung assemblies.
S
Sarah B
As someone following Indian politics, it's fascinating to see the BJP's strategy of alliances in smaller UTs. Puducherry has a unique culture. I hope the candidates respect that and don't impose a one-size-fits-all model.
V
Vikram M
The candidate list looks balanced. But the real test is on April 9th. The 84%+ voter turnout shows people are engaged. Hope they choose development over freebies this time. Puducherry has so much potential!
K
Kavya N
I have family in Karaikal. While alliances are important, I wish parties would announce concrete manifestos first. What will Mr. Arulmurugan do for Karaikal South specifically? We need details, not just names. 🙏

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