Rangasamy confident of Puducherry statehood, congratulates Vijay on TN win
Synopsis
Puducherry's CM-designate N. Rangasamy used a temple visit in Salem to deliver two political signals at once — reaffirming his statehood push as he prepares for a record fifth term, and publicly blessing C. Vijay Joseph's TVK as Tamil Nadu's government formation race heats up.
Key Takeaways
Rangasamy is set to assume office as Puducherry Chief Minister for a record fifth term after the NDA's victory in the Puducherry Assembly elections.
Rangasamy reaffirmed that Puducherry statehood remains a top priority, stating the NDA is "consistently pressing" the Centre on the issue.
Vijay Joseph of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) , which won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly .
Congress and several smaller parties have reportedly indicated support for the TVK -led government formation effort.
Rangasamy said details on Puducherry Cabinet formation and portfolio allocation would be announced after the swearing-in ceremony.
Puducherry Chief Minister-designate N. Rangasamy on Wednesday, 6 May expressed confidence that the Union Territory would soon attain full statehood, asserting that the NDA government was consistently pressing the Centre on the long-pending demand. The remarks came during a visit to Salem, Tamil Nadu, shortly after the NDA retained power in the recently concluded Puducherry Assembly elections.
Rangasamy's Temple Visit and Political Remarks
Rangasamy, who is preparing to assume office for a record fifth term as Chief Minister, arrived in Salem and visited the famous Appa Paithiyam Swamy Temple at Suramangalam, where he offered prayers and participated in a special pooja. Speaking to reporters after the temple visit, he extended congratulations to C. Vijay Joseph, whose party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly.
Point of View
Even as the two operate in different political lanes. On statehood, the rhetoric is familiar: Puducherry leaders have pressed the Centre on this demand for decades with little structural progress. The real question is whether Rangasamy's fifth term brings any new leverage or mechanism to advance the demand beyond assurances — or whether it remains a perennial election-cycle promise.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Puducherry demanding statehood?
Puducherry has long sought full statehood to gain greater legislative and administrative autonomy, as Union Territories have limited powers compared to states. The demand has been a consistent political priority across successive governments in Puducherry.
Who is N. Rangasamy and why is his fifth term significant?
N. Rangasamy is the NDA-backed Chief Minister-designate of Puducherry, set to assume office for a record fifth time after the NDA retained power in the recent Puducherry Assembly elections. His long tenure makes him one of the most enduring political figures in the Union Territory.
What is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and how did it perform in Tamil Nadu elections?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is the party led by C. Vijay Joseph that emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. It is currently engaged in government formation talks with the support of Congress and several smaller parties.
What did Rangasamy say about the Puducherry Cabinet formation?
Rangasamy said that details regarding ministerial appointments and portfolio allocation would become clear only after the swearing-in ceremony and the formal assumption of office by the new government.
Why did Rangasamy congratulate Vijay Joseph despite being in different political camps?
Rangasamy said such political developments — including Tamil Nadu Congress leaders extending support to TVK — were natural when support was necessary to form a stable government, suggesting a pragmatic acknowledgement of Tamil Nadu's shifting political landscape.
