Chennai, May 13 -- Veteran politician and founder of the All India N.R. Congress, N. Rangasamy, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Puducherry for the fifth time on Wednesday, marking another significant chapter in the Union Territory's political history.
The swearing-in ceremony was held in the presence of senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party workers, and supporters who gathered in large numbers to witness the event. K. Kailashnathan, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rangasamy and his Cabinet colleagues. The veteran leader took the oath in the name of God.
Along with Rangasamy, two ministers were also inducted into the new Cabinet. Malladi Krishna Rao of the AINRC and A. Namassivayam of the Bharatiya Janata Party took oath as ministers in the AINRC-led NDA government. Krishna Rao, who represents Yanam - the Telugu-speaking enclave of Puducherry located in Andhra Pradesh - took oath in Telugu, reflecting the region's cultural identity and linguistic diversity.
Several senior BJP leaders attended the ceremony, including BJP national president Nitin Nabin and senior party strategist B. L. Santhosh. Their presence highlighted the importance of the alliance between the BJP and AINRC in the Union Territory's political landscape.
The NDA alliance had secured victory in the April 9 Assembly elections, enabling the coalition to retain power in Puducherry. Following the election results, Droupadi Murmu officially appointed Rangasamy as the Chief Minister. Known for his simple lifestyle and grassroots connect, Rangasamy remains one of the most popular political figures in Puducherry. His return to office for a fifth term is being viewed as a strong endorsement of his leadership and governance style.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.