Puducherry: N Rangasamy, the veteran political leader and founder of the All India N.R. Congress, officially commenced his fifth term as the Chief Minister of Puducherry on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony solidified the return of the National Democratic Alliance to power in the Union Territory following their successful campaign in the general elections held on April 9. Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the veteran politician, who took his vow in the name of God, marking a continued era of leadership for the regional heavyweight.
Joining the Chief Minister in the new cabinet were Malladi Krishan Rao and A. Namassivayam, representing the coalition partners within the AINRC-led government. In a notable display of the territory’s diverse cultural geography, Rao, who represents the enclave of Yanam, took his oath in Telugu. Meanwhile, Namassivayam was inducted as a key representative for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which remains a vital component of the governing alliance. The ceremony was attended by prominent national figures, including BJP National President Nitin Nabin and senior leader B.L. Santhosh, highlighting the central government’s interest in the administrative stability of the region.
The appointment of Rangasamy follows a formal directive from President Droupadi Murmu, authorizing the veteran leader to head the administration after the NDA successfully retained its mandate. The political landscape in Puducherry remains unique due to its enclaves situated in different states, a fact underscored by the multilingual nature of the ministerial oaths during the proceedings. As the new government begins its tenure, the focus is expected to shift toward infrastructure development and administrative reforms tailored to the specific needs of the four regions that comprise the Union Territory.
