Kamaraj Nagar election results 2026: LJK’s Jose Charles Martin defeats Congress’s P K Devadoss by 10,205 votes

Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi’s Jose Charles Martin won from Kamaraj Nagar constituency in Puducherry, defeating Congress’s P K Devadoss by a margin of 10,205 votes.Kamaraj Nagar turned into a high-stakes arena for a new generation of leaders. With the previous winner, A Johnkumar, moving to Mudaliarpet constituency, the NDA fielded Jose Charles Martin of the Latchiya Jananagaya Katchi (LJK), who entered the race as the wealthiest candidate in the Union territory. The Congress (SPA) countered with PK Devadoss, aiming to reclaim a territory once considered a party stronghold. This traditional dynamic was challenged by R Suman of the TVK, who looked to capture the urban youth vote. Kamaraj Nagar, a key urban constituency in central Puducherry, is defined by its vibrant residential neighbourhoods and bustling commercial zones. The seat has seen high-profile transitions in recent years; in 2021, A Johnkumar (BJP) secured a commanding victory with a margin of 7,229 votes over Congress' MOHF Shahjahan, following a successful 2019 by-poll win for the same candidate under the Congress banner. This marked a significant shift from the 2016 tenure of former CM V Vaithilingam (Congress). In the latest 2026 elections held on April 9, the constituency saw voter participation soar to 88.14% as compared to 78.65% of the 2021 elections.The 2026 Puducherry assembly elections took place on April 9, recording a historic voter turnout of 91.23%, with results declared on May 4. The contest shifted from a traditional two-way battle into a high-stakes three-way struggle between the ruling NDA (led by the AINRC and BJP), the SPA (anchored by the Congress and DMK), and the newly formed TVK–NMK alliance headed by actor-politician Vijay.