Puducherry, June 10: The much-anticipated cabinet expansion of the Puducherry government is scheduled for June 17. This move will enable Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to operate at full capacity and initiate the allocation of departments ahead of the Union Territory’s annual budget presentation.
The President has approved the appointment of P. Rajavelu and V.P. Shivakolunthu from the All India N.R. Congress, along with BJP MLA G.N.S. Rajasekharan as ministers, based on the recommendation of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s office, the new ministers will take their oaths of office at a ceremony scheduled for 9:45 AM on June 17, conducted by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan. Their appointments will be effective from the date of the oath-taking ceremony.
This cabinet expansion is a significant political development, occurring nearly a month after the NDA retained power in the 2026 assembly elections. The alliance won 18 out of 30 seats, paving the way for N. Rangasamy’s return as Chief Minister. He took the oath of office on May 13 alongside BJP leader A. Namasivayam and senior AINRC leader Malladi Krishna Rao.
However, the allocation of departments has not yet been finalized until the cabinet formation process is complete.
Both Rajavelu and Shivakolunthu are experienced legislators who have held significant constitutional positions in the past. Rajavelu has served as Deputy Speaker and Minister, while Shivakolunthu was the Speaker of the Assembly during the Congress government led by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy. Rajasekharan, representing the Karaikal constituency, will be taking on ministerial duties for the first time.
Political analysts believe that the inclusion of these ministers aims to ensure representation for the Scheduled Caste community and the Karaikal region within the cabinet.
With the addition of these three ministers, the Puducherry cabinet will reach its designated limit of ministers. Government sources have indicated that the allocation of departments is expected to occur immediately after the oath-taking ceremony. Elections for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Assembly are also anticipated to take place soon.
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