​​​​​​​New Delhi, April 29: Exit polls for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections suggest a return to power for the Rangasamy-led Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA). According to the People Pulse exit poll, the NDA is projected to secure between 16 and 19 of the 30 Assembly seats in the Union Territory. In contrast, the Congress-led alliance is expected to win between 10 and 12 seats.

In a surprising development, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is forecasted to fail in securing any seats, with the People Pulse poll projecting zero seats for the party. Other smaller parties are likely to win between zero and two seats.

Further projections by Axis My India show a similarly strong performance by the NDA, with predictions of 16 to 20 seats. Congress and its allies are expected to win six to eight seats, while TVK’s performance is forecasted to improve slightly, with two to four seats. Other parties are predicted to secure between one and three seats.

The election battle in Puducherry is shaping up to be a multi-cornered contest, featuring the NDA, comprising the All India NR Congress (AINRC), BJP, and smaller allies, versus the Congress-DMK alliance. Actor Vijay’s TVK, which sought to create a triangular contest, also adds an interesting dynamic.

The NDA alliance is spearheaded by Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy's AINRC, contesting 16 constituencies, while the BJP is fielding candidates in 10. The AIADMK and LJK are each contesting two seats. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc includes Congress (16 constituencies) and DMK (14 constituencies). The VCK, part of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Tamil Nadu, has decided to contest independently, fielding candidates in three constituencies after being offered only one seat.

With the current 30-member Legislative Assembly set to expire on June 15, the vote counting will take place on May 4, determining the next political landscape of Puducherry.