Rangasamy Takes Fifth Term as Puducherry CM; Kerala CM Name Awaited

BJP national chief attends swearing-in ceremony; Congress faces uncertainty in Kerala leadership race

N. Rangasamy has taken oath for the fifth time as Chief Minister of Puducherry, extending his political dominance in the Union Territory after a decisive NDA victory in the May 4 elections. Lieutenant Governor Kailash Nathan administered the oath at Lok Bhavan, with BJP National President Nitin Naveen in attendance, underlining the saffron party's backing for the AINRC-led government.

The swearing-in ceremony marked yet another milestone for the 75-year-old administrator, who has now held the top post across five separate tenures—a rare political achievement in Indian electoral history.

NDA Secures Clear Majority in Puducherry

The election results had delivered a comfortable mandate for the Rangasamy-led alliance. The NDA alliance clinched 16 of the 30 Assembly seats, with the AINRC winning 12 seats and the BJP securing 4. The AINRC's strike rate of 75% was the highest among all contenders, signalling strong voter confidence in the ruling combine.

Congress, which contested 16 seats, managed just one victory, achieving a strike rate of merely 6%—a significant decline from its earlier influence in Puducherry politics. The BJP's 40% strike rate (4 of 10 seats) positioned it as the second-strongest performer in the election.

"The people have given a clear mandate for development and stability," Rangasamy said after taking the oath, reflecting on the election outcome.

Suspense Deepens in Kerala Leadership Race

While Puducherry's political landscape has stabilised, Kerala remains in the throes of a leadership struggle that has extended beyond expectations. Nine days after the May 4 election results, the Congress has yet to announce its Chief Minister, creating an unusual vacuum in a state where the party-led UDF won a decisive mandate.

The Kerala Congress president, after meeting Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, indicated that the CM's name would be revealed by Wednesday morning. However, the process has become contentious, with competing claims from senior leaders within the party structure.

Sources suggest that Rahul Gandhi's preference leans toward KC Venugopal, a former Kerala Congress president, as the next Chief Minister. A private meeting between Gandhi and Venugopal in Delhi was followed by what Congress insiders described as strong backing—75-80% of the Congress Legislature Party members reportedly voiced support for Venugopal during internal discussions.

However, VD Satheesan, the sitting leader of the opposition and a long-standing figure in Kerala politics, has also staked his claim. Six MLAs extended support to Satheesan at the party meeting, and after the session concluded, three former state presidents publicly backed his candidacy.

UDF Allies Add to Complexity

The uncertainty has been further complicated by statements from UDF alliance partners. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Keralam Congress (Joseph) have publicly endorsed Satheesan's candidacy, signalling that the alliance's smaller constituents may have their own preferences.

Social media reports claim that a photograph shows senior Kerala Congress figures—Sunny Joseph, Sandeep G Varrier, Sajeev Joseph, TO Mohan, and Usha Vijayan—extending support to KC Venugopal, though the authenticity of such claims remains unclear.

Broader Political Context

The CM announcements across India's five states hold national significance. While Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu have already completed their CM transitions following the May 4 results, Kerala's delay stands out. Political observers attribute the prolonged deliberation to internal Congress dynamics and the party's desire to build consensus within its legislative wing.

The Puducherry development, meanwhile, reinforces the NDA's growing presence across India's smaller union territories and states. Rangasamy's fifth term also demonstrates the enduring appeal of regional politics in South India, where established leaders often command multi-generational voter support.

As Kerala awaits clarity on its new Chief Minister, political circles in Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram remain closely watching the Congress high command's final decision.