Leadership Shakeup in Puducherry After Congress Defeat

Puducherry PCC chief V Vaithilingam resigned after the Congress's loss in the Union Territory's April 9 Assembly polls. Formerly a Chief Minister, Vaithilingam faced defeat in Thattanchavady and resigned on moral grounds. The AINRC-led NDA won decisively, setting N Rangasamy up for leadership.

Puducherry witnessed a leadership change on Thursday as V Vaithilingam stepped down from his position as the Pradesh Congress Committee chief. His resignation comes in the wake of the Congress party's significant defeat in the recent Assembly elections held on April 9.

Appointed as the PCC president earlier this year, Vaithilingam faced a personal political setback, losing the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency to the All India NR Congress leader and Chief Minister N Rangasamy.

The strategic alliance led by the AINRC, coupled with the BJP and other local parties, enabled a substantial win, securing dominance in the union territory. With this victory, Rangasamy is poised to take on his fifth term as the Chief Minister of Puducherry.