Puducherry Assembly Elections 2026 | ‘Friendly fight’ between Congress and DMK, allies in six constituencies

Chennai: In reminiscent of the ‘friendly fight’ concept witnessed in Bihar assembly elections, DMK, and VCK candidates will face nominees from Congress in six assembly constituencies allotted to the two parties in the April 9 elections to the 30-member Puducherry Assembly.

The development has caused visible cracks within the alliance in the Union Territory with the Congress candidates refusing to withdraw their nomination papers.

Only one nominee from the Congress, Anand Babu, withdrew his nomination from Nellithope constituency. As the Congress and DMK failed to conclude their seat-sharing talks on time, candidates of both parties filed nominations in all 30 constituencies.

While the DMK and other alliance parties withdrew their nominations, the Congress candidates refused to withdraw their nominations.

Congress and DMK candidates will face off in Mangalam, Thirubhuvanai, Raj Bhavan, Kalapattu, and Karaikal (South). Congress and VCK candidates will fight each other in one constituency.

The ‘friendly fight’ is likely to hurt the prospects of the alliance in the six constituencies and water down their fight against the AINRC-BJP alliance.