Pondicherry: Congress back to power

Chennai: The Congress-led coalition was returned to power in the Union Territory of Pondicherry yesterday, securing 20 of the 30 seats a decrease of five seats since the last assembly polls.

According to the final tally, the Congress won 10 seats, its allies, the DMK - 7, PMK - 2 and CPI - 1.

The AIADMK-led front managed only seven seats with AIADMK winning 3, MDMK 1 and PMC 3.

The remaining three seats were won by independents.

Though Pondicherry has traditionally been a Congress stronghold, the party has seen some erosion in its strength in the recent polls.

This former French colony had assembly polls in two phases on May 3 and May 8 where 6.5 million voters exercised their franchise.

Two seats are in Kerala and a third seat in Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who registered a comfortable win in the Thattanchavady constituency, is slated to become chief minister a second time.

In the outgoing assembly, the Congress had 13 seats and its ally, the DMK 12, giving the coalition 25 seats.