Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday won the Thattanchavady assembly seat by a margin of 4,441 votes, securing 10,024 votes in the constituency as counting concluded.
The result strengthens the National Democratic Alliance’s position in Puducherry, with early trends continuing to place the alliance in the lead in the 30-member Assembly.
Clear victory margin in Thattanchavady
Rangasamy of the All India NR Congress defeated E Vinayagam of Neyam Makkal Kazhagam, who secured 5,583 votes. Independent candidate K Sethu, also known as Sethuselvam, finished third with 3,984 votes.
Former chief minister V Vaithilingam of the Congress trailed further behind with 2,990 votes, while other candidates, including those from Naam Tamilar Katchi and independents, remained in the lower vote brackets.
NOTA recorded 196 votes in the constituency.
NDA maintains advantage in early tally
Across Puducherry, the NDA continues to maintain an advantage in the counting trends. The AINRC is leading on nine seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is ahead in two. The AIADMK has taken a lead in one seat.
The Congress and the DMK are trailing, with limited leads in comparison, while independents and smaller parties are in contention in a few constituencies.
Exit polls had hinted at similar outcome
Pre-result projections had pointed towards an NDA win in the Union Territory. Surveys by People Pulse and Axis My India had placed the alliance in the range of 16 to 20 seats.
The Congress-DMK alliance was expected to remain behind, while actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam was projected to have a marginal presence.
The term of the current Assembly ends on June 15, and final results from all constituencies are expected later in the day.