Puducherry’s government administration has come to a standstill more than 45 days after the Assembly election results, as the full Council of Ministers is yet to become operational due to delays in portfolio allocation.
While other states that went to polls alongside Puducherry have formed governments and begun public work, the Union Territory continues to face uncertainty within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Issues ranging from minister selection and portfolio sharing to the choice of Speaker and Deputy Speaker remain unresolved.
Chief Minister N. Rangasamy took oath on May 13 along with ministers from the N.R. Congress and the BJP, including Namassivayam and Malladi Krishna Rao. However, even after a month in office, portfolios have not been assigned, leaving ministers without departmental responsibilities.
On June 17, additional ministers—N.R. Congress leaders Rajavelu and Sivakozhundu, and BJP’s Rajasekaran—were sworn in, completing the cabinet. Expectations that portfolios would be announced the same evening did not materialise.
The delay is attributed to competition between the N.R. Congress and the BJP over key departments such as Home, Finance and Public Works. BJP Puducherry in-charge Nirmal Kumar Surana met Rangasamy at his residence, but the Chief Minister described it as a courtesy call, and the deadlock over portfolios continues.
