NEW DELHI: Out of 294 candidates contesting the upcoming Puducherry assembly elections, 66 contestants (23%) have declared criminal cases, including 38 (13%) facing serious charges, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Criminal facing criminal cases in Puducherry
The analysis is based on affidavits filed by the candidates with the Election Commission of India (ECI), a mandatory disclosure required for contesting an election.In the 2021 Puducherry assembly elections, 323 candidates contested, of whom 54 (17%) had declared criminal cases.
Party-wise break-up of candidates with criminal cases
The newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, has fielded 28 candidates, of whom 10—the highest among political parties—face criminal charges. Among these, five have declared serious charges, and five have other criminal cases.Among other major parties, 3 of 21 Congress nominees, 4 of 16 from the ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC), 6 of 12 from the DMK, and 5 of 10 from the BJP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits. The Congress initially announced all 30 candidates after failing to reach an agreement with its ally, the DMK. The two parties finalised the seat-sharing deal on the last day of nomination filing, with Congress set to contest 16 seats and the DMK 14.Meanwhile, there are 117 independents, of whom 19 face criminal cases, including 11 with serious charges.The 294 candidates include 34 from national parties, 63 from state parties, 80 from registered unrecognised parties, and the independents.
‘Red alert’ constituencies
According to the ADR report, Puducherry has 11 “red alert” assembly constituencies—seats with at least three candidates facing criminal cases. Of these, eight are in the Puducherry district, and three are in the Karaikal district.
- Villianur: 5 candidates (AINRC, TVK, PMK, 2 Independents)
- Mudaliarpet: 5 (BJP, DMK, AJPK, 2 Independents)
- Karaikal South: 5 (BJP, DMK, DMMK, TVK, Independent)
- Lawspet: 4 (TVK, CPIM, 2 Independents)
- Manavely: 4 (BJP, Cong, AJPK, Independent)
- Neravy-TR Pattinam: 3 (DMMK, TVK, Independent)
- Muthialpet: 3 (AINRC, PMK, Independent)
- Ozhukarai: 3 (VCK, 2 Independents)
- Kalapet: 3 (BJP, Cong, DMK)
- Thirunallar: 3 (BJP, TVK, Independent)
- Ariankuppam: 3 (AINRC, TVK, Independent)
Puducherry assembly polls 2026
Over 9.4 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates when the polls are held on April 9. The counting of votes in the Union territory will take place on May 4, alongside the counting in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Puducherry assembly polls 2026
How parties fared in Puducherry assembly polls 2021
The Puducherry legislative assembly has 33 seats, of which elections are held for 30. The remaining three members are nominated by the central government.
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