Exit polls show NDA leading, counting arrangements complete in Puducherry

Multiple exit polls have indicated the likelihood of the ruling NDA alliance retaining power for a second consecutive term. The votes for the 30-member assembly, which went to polls on April 9, will be counted today, after which the picture of the new government will become clear.

According to electoral statistics, a record 91.23 percent of the total 9.53 lakh voters exercised their right to vote. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray, including 40 women. Region-wise, 253 candidates contested for the 25 seats in the Puducherry district (including Mahe and Yanam), while 41 candidates contested for the five seats in the Karaikal district.

Under the security and counting arrangements, the Election Commission of India has deployed observers at all six centers. Amidst strict security arrangements, 2,600 police personnel and 200 paramilitary forces have been deployed. The counting process will begin with the postal ballot, followed by the results of the electronic voting machines.

The political contest is primarily between two major blocks, but some new players have made it more interesting. The NDA alliance is led by the AINRC, which includes the BJP, AIADMK, and the newly formed LJ. On the other hand, the India Block is led by the Indian National Congress, with the DMK and VCK as its major allies.

In addition, TTV, a party led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, is entering the fray for the first time, making the contest more exciting. Similarly, the NTK, led by Seeman, is in the field with the slogan of 'Tamil nationalism', making the electoral contest four-cornered.

It is expected that clear trends will emerge within the first two hours of the counting of votes, giving an indication of the direction of the new government.

The division of seats among the alliances in the Puducherry Assembly elections has been quite interesting. The ruling AINRC, under the NDA, has fielded its candidates in 16 seats, while the remaining 14 seats have been given to the BJP. The BJP has given two seats from its share to the AIADMK and the new party LJ. On the other hand, the Indian National Congress in the India Block has contested 16 seats, while the remaining seats have been given to the DMK, although the Congress has been active in 22 seats due to rebel candidates.

Meanwhile, TTV initially announced that it would field candidates in all seats, but later formed an alliance with the NMK and gave it two seats, making the electoral contest more complex.

The most important and high-profile contest is being seen in the Thattanchavady seat, where there is a tough fight between N Rangaswamy and V Vaithilingam. Rangaswamy is trying his luck for the sixth time from this seat and is also a candidate from Mangalam, while Vaithilingam is a strong claimant for the chief minister's post from the Congress and India Block. The political rivalry between the two is quite old - in 2008, Vaithilingam had rebelled within the party and ousted Rangaswamy, but later Rangaswamy formed his own party and came to power in 2011 and 2021, and is now a strong contender again.

One of the key points of the counting is that Rangaswamy is contesting from two constituencies, Thattanchavady and Mangalam. The Mangalam seat was vacated by Minister T Jayakumar due to health reasons. The total counting of votes will decide whether Rangaswamy retains his political grip or Vaithilingam succeeds in changing the political landscape once again.