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Puducherry MLA Sivasankar Joins Congress Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls

Independent MLA M Sivasankar from the Ozhukarai constituency has joined the Congress party ahead of the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, recently held a Central Election Committee meeting to strategize for the polls. The ruling NDA alliance has finalized its seat-sharing, with AINRC contesting 16 seats and BJP 10, while the Congress-DMK INDIA bloc pact is pending. The election is scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4.

Key Points: Puducherry MLA M Sivasankar Joins Congress Before 2026 Polls

  • Independent MLA joins Congress
  • Rahul Gandhi chairs strategy meet
  • NDA finalizes seat-sharing pact
  • Polling scheduled for April 9
2 min read

Puducherry polls: Independent MLA M Sivasankar joins Congress

Independent MLA M Sivasankar joins Congress. Rahul Gandhi, Kharge strategize for Puducherry elections as NDA finalizes seat-sharing.

"Focused on strengthening the organisation and shaping a roadmap that reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of the people of Puducherry - Rahul Gandhi"

Puducherry, March 22

Independent MLA M Sivasankar from Puducherry's Ozhukarai seat, on Sunday, joined the Congress party in the presence of the party's Puducherry Incharge Girish Chodankar and local leadership in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.

M Sivasankar has won the 2021 elections from the Ozhukarai constituency.

Earlier on March 19, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) for Puducherry, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, to chart the course for the Assembly elections.

In a post on Facebook, Rahul Gandhi said the meeting at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi focused on strengthening the organisation and shaping a roadmap that reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of the people of Puducherry.

"At Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, met with the CEC for Puducherry, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, to chart the course for the upcoming Assembly elections. Focused on strengthening the organisation and shaping a roadmap that reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of the people of Puducherry," Gandhi posted.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, and other senior leaders were present at the meeting.

In the Union Territory, Congress is contesting the elections in alliance with the INDIA bloc partner Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). While the ruling NDA has finalised its seat-sharing pact, the DMK-Congress alliance is yet to announce their seat formula.

Meanwhile, in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the All India N R Congress (AINRC) is set to contest in 16 constituencies and the BJP on 10 seats in the April 9 Assembly elections.

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

The BJP has announced the list of candidates on all 10 seats, while the AIADMK has fielded A Anbazhagan, a former MLA, from Uppalainpet (15) constituency, and A Gandhi, a BSc graduate, will contest from Urulaiyanpet (16) seat.

The polling for the 2026 Assembly Election will be held on April 9 in a single phase, with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK and BJP with six seats, and Congress won two seats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is just political musical chairs. Sivasankar won as an independent, now joins Congress. Will he actually work for Ozhukarai or just follow the party line? Voters deserve consistency.
D
David E
Interesting to watch the alliance dynamics. NDA seems more organized with seat-sharing finalized. Congress-DMK need to get their act together quickly if they want to challenge the ruling alliance effectively.
S
Sneha F
Hope this joining means better development work for Ozhukarai. At the end of the day, we need MLAs who deliver on roads, water, and jobs. Party labels matter less than actual work on the ground. 🙏
A
Aryan P
The 2021 results show AINRC was strongest. With BJP's support in 10 seats, NDA looks strong. Congress winning only 2 seats last time means they have a mountain to climb, even with new joinings.
M
Meera T
Respectfully, all these meetings in Delhi about "voices of Puducherry" feel disconnected. Leaders should spend more time in the UT understanding local issues rather than just charting courses from the capital.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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