Puducherry assembly elections 2026: From Thattanchavady to Mangalam, here are top 10 seats to watch out

Puducherry’s 2026 Assembly elections have emerged as a tightly contested battle, marked by a record voter turnout of 89.83%, a series of razor-close fights, and the entry of new players that have added an element of unpredictability. Counting of votes for all 30 seats is scheduled for May 4.

The contest is primarily between the ruling AINRC-BJP-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with several high-profile candidates in key constituencies expected to play a decisive role in determining who forms the government.

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What did exit polls say?

The pollsters are projecting a victory for the All India NR Congress-led (AINRC) Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The exit poll by People Pulse has projected 16-19 Assembly seats in the NDA's corner, while placing Congress and allies with 10 to 12 seats of the total 30 Assembly seats in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is being projected to win zero Assembly seats in Puducherry as per People Pulse. Moreover, other political parties are projected to win zero to two seats.

According to exit poll projections by Axis My India, the NDA is winning the Puducherry Assembly polls with 16-20 seats, while Congress and allies are projected to win six to eight seats.

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Meanwhile, TVK is projected to win two to four Assembly seats in Puducherry as per Axis My India. Moreover, other political parties are projected to win one to three seats.

In Puducherry, the contest involved the NDA, which includes the AINRC, the BJP and the Congress-DMK alliance. Actor Vijay's TVK had also sought to make it triangular.

The NDA includes the AINRC led by Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy, which is contesting 16 assembly constituencies, the BJP contesting 10 seats, and both the AIADMK and LJK, each contesting two seats.

The INDIA bloc includes Congress, which is contesting 16 assembly constituencies, and the DMK, contesting 14 seats. VCK, which is part of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Tamil Nadu, has decided to contest on three assembly seats in Puducherry independently after being offered only one.

The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory is set to expire on June 15. The counting of votes will be held on May 4.

Top seats to watch out

Apart from the seats that saw close contests in 2021, several high-profile constituencies are expected to play a decisive role in determining whether the NDA or the Congress–DMK alliance forms the next government in Puducherry.

Thattanchavady
The most closely watched seat is Thattanchavady, which could be crucial in deciding the next chief minister. Incumbent CM N. Rangasamy faces former CM V. Vaithilingam, now a Lok Sabha MP and Puducherry Congress chief. Rangasamy has won the seat five times and secured a victory margin of 5,456 votes in 2021.

Mangalam
Rangasamy is also contesting from Mangalam, repeating his dual-seat strategy from 2021. The constituency is currently held by the AINRC, with C Djeacoumar winning the last election by 2,751 votes against the DMK.

Yanam
Yanam, geographically surrounded by Andhra Pradesh, remains politically significant. Independent MLA Gollapalli Srinivas Ashok currently represents the seat after defeating Rangasamy in the previous election.

Mannadipet
BJP leader and Home Minister A. Namassivayam is defending Mannadipet, which he won in 2021 by 2,750 votes against the DMK.

Indira Nagar
An AINRC stronghold since 2011, Indira Nagar is currently represented by AKD Arumugam, who registered the highest victory margin (18,531 votes) in the 2021 polls.

Nedungadu
Another AINRC bastion, Nedungadu was represented by Chandira Priyanga, the only woman minister in Rangasamy’s cabinet before her resignation in 2023. She had also won the seat in 2016.

Raj Bhavan
Raj Bhavan is set for a high-stakes contest, with BJP state president V. P. Ramalingam in the fray. The seat is currently held by AINRC’s K Lakshminarayan.

Mudaliarpet
In Mudaliarpet, BJP’s A Johnkumar is challenging DMK’s sitting MLA L Sambath. Johnkumar, a former Congress leader, is currently a minister in the Rangasamy cabinet.

Karaikal North
Karaikal North witnessed one of the closest contests in 2021, with AINRC’s PRN Thirumurugan winning by just 135 votes. He is contesting again, seeking a fourth consecutive term.

Bahour
Bahour, one of the DMK’s key seats, saw a narrow victory margin of 211 votes in 2021. The constituency is represented by R Senthilkumar of the DMK.

Mahe
Like Yanam, Mahe is geographically surrounded by another state—Kerala. The Congress held the seat in 2021, winning by a slim margin of 300 votes.

Nellithope
Nellithope also saw a close contest, with the BJP winning by 496 votes. Richards Johnkumar emerged victorious, while the DMK finished second.