Puducherry elections: 23% candidates have criminal cases, TVK ahead with 10 names. india news
New Delhi: Of the 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).
The culprit is facing criminal cases in Puducherry
The analysis is based on the affidavits filed by the candidates Election Commission of India (ECI), a mandatory disclosure for contesting elections.
323 candidates contested the 2021 Puducherry Assembly election, of which 54 (17%) had declared criminal cases.
party-wise distribution of candidates with criminal cases
The newly formed Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor-politician Vijay has fielded 28 candidates, 10 of whom – the highest among political parties – are facing criminal charges. Of these, five have declared serious charges and five have other criminal cases against them.Among other major parties, 3 out of 21 from Congress, 4 out of 16 from ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC), 6 out of 12 from DMK and 5 out of 10 from BJP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits. Congress initially announced all 30 candidates after failing to reach an agreement with its ally DMK. On the last day of filing of nominations, both the parties finalized the seat-sharing agreement, in which Congress will contest on 16 seats and DMK on 14 seats.Meanwhile, there are 117 independents, of whom 19 have criminal cases, including 11 on serious charges.The 294 candidates include 34 from national parties, 63 from state parties, 80 from registered unrecognized parties and independents.
‘Red Alert’ constituency
According to the ADR report, there are 11 “red alert” assembly constituencies in Puducherry – seats where at least three candidates are facing criminal cases. Of these, eight are in Puducherry district, and three in Karaikal district.
- Vilianur: 5 candidates (AINRC, TVK, PMK, 2 Independents)
- Mudaliarpet: 5 (BJP, DMK, AJPK, 2 Independents)
- Karaikal South: 5 (BJP, DMK, DMMK, TVK, Independent)
- Losses: 4 (TVK, CPIM, 2 Independents)
- Manaveli: 4 (BJP, Congress, AJPK, Independent)
- Neeravi-TR Pattinam: 3 (DMMK, TVK, Independent)
- Muthialpet: 3 (AINRC, PMK, Independent)
- Ozhukarai: 3 (VCK, 2 Independents)
- Kalapet: 3 (BJP, Congress, DMK)
- Tirunallar: 3 (BJP, TVK, Independent)
- Ariyankuppam: 3 (AINRC, TVK, Independent)
puducherry assembly election 2026
Over 9.4 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates when voting takes place on April 9. Counting of votes in the Union Territory will take place on May 4 along with counting in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
puducherry assembly election 2026
How did the parties perform in Puducherry Assembly Elections 2021?
There are 33 seats in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, of which 30 are up for election. The remaining three members are nominated by the Central Government.