Puducherry is all set for the swearing-in of AINRC founder N. Rangasamy as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory for the fifth time. Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan will administer the oath to Mr. Rangasamy at a function to be held at 9. 47 a.m at Lok Niwas.

The National Democratic Alliance headed by the Chief Minister’s AINRC has retained power after securing a majority of 18 seats in the 2026 Assembly polls. In the 30 member-Legislative Assembly, the AINRC has won 12 seats, its allies, BJP four and one each by the AIADMK and LJK. 

Sources said one or two BJP legislators will also be sworn-in as Ministers along with the Chief Minister. In the previous Assembly, the BJP had held two berths in Mr. Rangasamy’s cabinet, besides holding the Speaker’s post. The AINRC had held three Ministerial berths and deputy Speaker’s post.

Nabin to attend Swearing-in

The BJP whose seat share has been reduced by two from its previous tally of six in the Assembly, has decided to mark the return of NDA government in U.T. with the presence of party national leaders at the swearing-in function. The ceremony will be attended by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and BJP in-charge for U.T. Nirmal Kumar Surana.

In what could be seen as an outreach towards youth and women, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Sunday (January 4, 2025) said he intended to bring more women and youth into the party structure. He also announced the appointment of nearly 140 party office bearers for a tenure of three years.

He said the party has received more than 21,000 applications from aspirants for party posts across all the 234 party district units. Apart from district secretaries, each district unit equivalent to one assembly constituency will also have office bearers within the district.

In a video message, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “I have given more importance to youth. It is important to include young people into the party structure. We will consider those who are 45 years of age and below as “youth” and they will be given priority. Of the 234 people appointed across Tamil Nadu to party district administration, close to 90 people are youth.”

He added the party couldn’t appoint requisite number non-Scheduled Caste members and women in party posts as required. “We must have appointed 23 women and 23 non-Dalits as district secretaries. We could only appoint 15 women and 17 non-Dalits including Muslims as district secretaries. However, across all 234 district units, we will appoint women and non-Dalits as district office bearers. Apart from this, more than 450 women office bearers will be a part of party structure across districts,” he said.