Ashok Anand retains Thattanchavady seat for ruling AINRC

Ashok Anand of the ruling All India N.R. Congress won the Puducherry by-election by 8,482 votes. The result was declared on October 9.

Anand received 13,358 votes in Thattanchavady. His closest opponent, Congress candidate E. Vinayagam, secured 4,876, while Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate K. Sethu Selvam finished third with 2,664. Polling took place on October 6.

The seat became vacant after Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC founder N. Rangasamy kept his Mangalam constituency and relinquished his second mandate. Rangasamy had won Thattanchavady by 4,441 votes in the April Assembly election. Anand's margin was almost twice as large.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam backed Anand. Vinayagam contested with support from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. A total of 21,756 votes were cast in the constituency.

AINRC's retention of the seat leaves the Assembly's balance unchanged. The ruling National Democratic Alliance continues to hold an 18-seat majority in the 30-member legislature.