Puducherry: N. Rangasamy stands out as the quiet constant in Puducherry. He has won the Thattanchavady seats by a margin of 4,441 votes, winning a historic fifth term for himself.
According to the results declared by the Election Commission of India by 12.45 pm Monday, the chief minister has bagged 10,024 votes, while his nearest rival E. Vinayagam of the Neyam Makkal Kazhagam got 5,583 votes.
Overall, in the 30-member assembly, the NDA in the state has either won or is leading on 12 seats. The halfway mark is 16.
The NDA in the state is led by Rangasamy’s All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), with the BJP and AIADMK as other partners.
The 75-year-old Rangasamy has been voted back to power mainly due to his reputation for giving practical governance, welfare schemes, and for remaining an accessible politician.
However, the challenge of handling the internal conflicts in the alliance awaits in the coming days.
Rangasamy completed his commerce degree at Tagore Arts College and earned a law degree from Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College. He worked as a lawyer and served as an assistant to a minister.
He entered politics with the Indian National Congress and won his first major victories in the 1990s, and became Chief Minister for the first time in 2001. During his first tenure, he focused on building institutions like the Government Medical College, a Women and Children’s Hospital, an Eye Hospital in Karaikal, and essential bridges that improved connectivity across the region.
He became chief minister again in 2006. However, due to the internal conflict in the Congress, he resigned in 2008 and founded the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) in February 2011. His new party swept to power with allies, and he took the oath as chief minister again.
He moved to the NDA alliance with the BJP in 2021.
His government launched several flagship welfare initiatives, including the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Housing Scheme, which helped countless families move from huts to concrete homes with the help of subsidies.
The Rajiv Gandhi Breakfast Scheme was also a hit among youngsters, while education support extended through fee reimbursements for underprivileged students in professional courses, free textbooks, and laptops was also applauded by the public.
Besides welfare, infrastructure projects and slum rehabilitation efforts further strengthened his appeal among the people of Puducherry.
Hailing from the Vanniyar community, he has built a broad base through inclusive policies that cut across sections, besides garnering the support of his own community.
Containing friction within the NDA will be among Rangasamy’s first challenges in his fifth term.
In the outgoing NDA cabinet, the BJP had expressed unhappiness over its level of representation since party leaders and MLAs felt they were given limited ministerial berths and insufficient influence in key decision-making despite being part of the ruling alliance at the Centre.
Allocating the portfolios in the new term would be challenging for Rangasamy, since some BJP members have demanded important departments and a greater say in the government.
The NR Congress was not keen on accommodating Santiago Martin’s newly formed Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK).
Rangaswamy and his party were concerned about the image of associating with a group linked to the lottery business, which faced scrutiny and raids. The party also has concerns about bringing in the new player, as it would dilute their own seat share and political dominance within the alliance.
While the BJP saw value in expanding the NDA with fresh resources and faces, the AINRC remained reluctant and only agreed after considerable persuasion from the central BJP leadership.
Now, the cabinet formation will test his balancing skills. Moreover, managing LJK’s expectations without compromising his government’s public image or alienating core supporters is also crucial.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)