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The Hindu Editorial • March 25, 2026 • Read Original
Political poker: On the Puducherry Assembly election, the political players
Confusion prevails among all the main players in Puducherry
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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on March 25, 2026
Political poker: On the Puducherry Assembly election, the political players
Confusion prevails among all the main players in Puducherry
Puducherry ElectionAINRCBJPCongressDMKAssembly Election 2026
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 20
Sentence 1 of 20
Puducherry and political confusion go together.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Puducherry and political confusion
The place (Puducherry) and the state of being mixed up or uncertain in politics
Verb
go
Exist or happen at the same time
Adjunct
together
Linked to each other or occurring at once
Sentence 2 of 20
This has been reinforced in the manner in which the major political players have gone through the seat sharing process.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
The idea that politics and confusion are closely linked
Verb
has been reinforced
Has been made much more certain or obvious
Adjunct
in the manner in which the major political players have gone through the seat sharing process
By the way the main political parties negotiated their seat divisions
Sentence 3 of 20
Though Puducherry’s first NDA government, led by the AINRC and the BJP, has been able to complete its five-year term, the allies have struggled to reach an electoral understanding.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Though Puducherry’s first NDA government, led by the AINRC and the BJP, has been able to complete its five-year term
Despite the fact that the first coalition government of AINRC and BJP finished its full five years in power
Subject
the allies
The partner parties in the government (AINRC and BJP)
Verb
have struggled
Have found it very difficult and had many disagreements
Adjunct
to reach an electoral understanding
To come to a final agreement on how many seats each party would contest in the upcoming election
Sentence 4 of 20
An agreement was reached only on March 20, three days before nominations closed, with the AINRC and BJP allotted 16 and 10 seats, respectively, and junior allies the AIADMK and the fledgling LJK given two seats each.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
An agreement
The formal seat sharing deal between all the alliance partners
Verb
was reached
Was finalized or settled
Adjunct
only on March 20
As late as March 20
Adjunct
three days before nominations closed
Just 72 hours before the deadline for candidates to file their official applications
Adjunct
with the AINRC and BJP allotted 16 and 10 seats, respectively, and junior allies the AIADMK and the fledgling LJK given two seats each
Where AINRC got 16 seats, BJP got 10 seats, and the smaller partners AIADMK and LJK got 2 seats each
Sentence 5 of 20
The AIADMK, which formed the government in 1974 and 1977, and enjoyed a vote share between 12.6% (2001) and nearly 17% (2016), faces the election as an untested force.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The AIADMK
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party
Adjunct
which formed the government in 1974 and 1977, and enjoyed a vote share between 12.6% (2001) and nearly 17% (2016)
Which had its own governments in the past (1970s) and used to get a significant portion of the total votes
Verb
faces
Is confronting or approaching
Object
the election
The upcoming 2026 Assembly polls
Complement
as an untested force
In a position where its actual strength and popularity today are unknown
Sentence 6 of 20
Its woes stem from its leadership, which neglected party-building after Jayalalithaa’s death.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Its woes
The troubles or problems of the AIADMK party
Verb
stem from
Are caused by or originate from
Object
its leadership
The people who control or manage the party
Adjunct
which neglected party-building after Jayalalithaa’s death
Who failed to take care of the party’s growth and organization after the death of their key leader J. Jayalalithaa
Sentence 7 of 20
On the contrary, the BJP, once losing deposits in most of the seats it contested till 2016, rose in 2021 by allying with the AINRC, though its much-hyped “double-engine” governance model has disappointed.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On the contrary
In direct opposition or absolute contrast to what was said about the AIADMK’s decline
Subject
the BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party
Adjunct
once losing deposits in most of the seats it contested till 2016
Formerly failing to get even a minimum number of votes in almost every seat it fought before 2016
Verb
rose
Grew in power or became successful
Adjunct
in 2021
During the last Assembly election year
Adjunct
by allying with the AINRC
By forming a partnership or alliance with the regional party AINRC
Adjunct
though its much-hyped “double-engine” governance model has disappointed
Despite the fact that its highly advertised plan of having the same party in power at both State and Centre has failed to meet expectations
Sentence 8 of 20
A 2024 study by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the IIPA highlighted Puducherry’s “… most unsatisfactory” performance as there has been no panchayat election since 2006.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A 2024 study by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the IIPA
A research report published in 2024 by the central government department for village rule and an administrative school
Verb
highlighted
Pointed out or brought special attention to
Object
Puducherry’s “… most unsatisfactory” performance
The very poor records or results of the Puducherry government
Adjunct
as there has been no panchayat election since 2006
Because local village level elections have not been held for 20 years
Sentence 9 of 20
A C&AG report on Puducherry’s finances for 2023-24, also makes a few pertinent observations.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A C&AG report on Puducherry’s finances for 2023-24
An audit report by India’s top auditor about how the Union Territory spent its money recently
Adjunct
also
In addition to the previously mentioned 2024 study
Verb
makes
States or presents
Object
a few pertinent observations
Some important and relevant points based on what they saw
Sentence 10 of 20
Yet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the Union Territory on March 1 to inaugurate projects worth around ₹2,700 crore, lauded the government on governance.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Yet
Despite the unsatisfactory performance and poor audit reports mentioned previously
Subject
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The head of the Indian government
Adjunct
who visited the Union Territory on March 1 to inaugurate projects worth around ₹2,700 crore
Who came to Puducherry at the start of March to start many new public works worth 2,700 crore rupees
Verb
lauded
Publicly praised or celebrated
Object
the government
The ruling AINRC-BJP alliance in Puducherry
Adjunct
on governance
For the way it manages and runs the Union Territory
Sentence 11 of 20
The Congress-DMK alliance fares no better, with differences persisting even on the final nomination day.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Congress-DMK alliance
The partnership between the Indian National Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam parties
Verb
fares
Performs or is manageged
Complement
no better
Just as badly as the other alliance (NDA)
Adjunct
with differences persisting even on the final nomination day
Because disagreements are still continuing right up to the last day to file election papers
Sentence 12 of 20
Adding to the confusion, Puducherry MP and former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam, also chief of the Pradesh Congress Committee, filed his nomination.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Adding to the confusion
Making the situation even more mixed up and unclear
Subject
Puducherry MP and former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam, also chief of the Pradesh Congress Committee
A very senior Congress leader who is currently a Member of Parliament and was previously the Chief Minister and head of the state Congress unit
Verb
filed
Officially submitted legal papers to run in the election
Object
his nomination
His formal application to be a candidate in the Assembly election
Sentence 13 of 20
Reports suggest that the Congress may contest 16 seats, leaving 12 to the DMK, and one each for the CPI and VCK.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Reports
News articles or information from sources
Verb
suggest
Indicate or show likely information
Object
that the Congress may contest 16 seats, leaving 12 to the DMK, and one each for the CPI and VCK
That the Congress party might fight in 16 areas, giving 12 areas to its partner DMK, and 1 area each to the CPI and VCK parties
Sentence 14 of 20
Protesting the treatment meted out to it, the VCK will contest independently in three constituencies.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Protesting the treatment meted out to it
To show its anger against the unfair way it was given seats or importance in the alliance
Subject
the VCK
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi party
Verb
will contest
Will fight or participate as a candidate
Adjunct
independently
On its own, without any alliance partners
Adjunct
in three constituencies
In three specific areas where elections are held
Sentence 15 of 20
The CPI(M) has fielded its candidates in four seats, apart from supporting an independent in Mahe, an enclave in Kerala.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The CPI(M)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Verb
has fielded
Has officially put forward names of people to run in the election
Object
its candidates
The members who will represent the party in the polls
Adjunct
in four seats
In four different election areas
Adjunct
apart from supporting an independent in Mahe, an enclave in Kerala
In addition to helping a non-party candidate in Mahe, which is a small part of Puducherry located geographically inside Kerala state
Sentence 16 of 20
Congress supporters of former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy — he did not contest the 2021 election — are upset that he has been denied a ticket.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Congress supporters of former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy
The members of the Congress party who follow the previous leader V. Narayanasamy
Adjunct
he did not contest the 2021 election
He did not stand for election or run for any seat in the last Assembly polls
Verb
are
Current state of feeling
Complement
upset that he has been denied a ticket
Angry and disappointed because the party refused to let him run in the current election
Sentence 17 of 20
Adding to the chaotic situation, the TVK first released a full list of 30 candidates on Sunday, the penultimate day of filing of nominations, but later announced the allotment of two seats to the fledgling NMK.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Adding to the chaotic situation
Making the already messy and unorganized state of affairs even worse
Subject
the TVK
The Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam, a new political party founded by actor Vijay
Verb
released
Made public or announced
Object
a full list of 30 candidates
A complete set of names for all 30 available seats in the Assembly
Adjunct
on Sunday, the penultimate day of filing of nominations
On Sunday, which was the second-to-last day for candidates to submit their official papers
Verb
announced
Gave formal notice about a change
Object
the allotment of two seats to the fledgling NMK
The giving away or assignment of two of its seats to the new partner party NMK
Sentence 18 of 20
At least four of the TVK’s nominees are from other parties.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
At least four of the TVK’s nominees
A minimum of four people chosen by TVK to run in the election
Verb
are
Stay or belong in the current state
Complement
from other parties
Have their origins or were previously members of different political groups
Sentence 19 of 20
All these political players must also account for the Union government’s power to nominate three legislators to the Assembly.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
All these political players
Every political party and candidate mentioned before
Verb
must also account for
Need to consider or keep in mind
Object
the Union government’s power to nominate three legislators to the Assembly
The legal right of the Central government to choose three people to sit in the state legislature without being elected
Sentence 20 of 20
On April 9, nearly 9.5 lakh voters should choose a government that meaningfully improves governance and goes beyond demanding Statehood.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On April 9
On the scheduled day of the Assembly elections
Subject
nearly 9.5 lakh voters
Approximately the 950,000 citizens of Puducherry who have the right to vote
Verb
should choose
Ought to pick or decide upon
Object
a government that meaningfully improves governance and goes beyond demanding Statehood
An administration that truly makes the way the state is run better and focuses on practical progress rather than just asking for full state status
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - Puducherry Assembly Election
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the political landscape of Puducherry.
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