Incumbent Minister P.Rajavelu and wife with former Lt Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundarrajan
Puducherry , June 10:
The long-awaited expansion of the Puducherry Council of Ministers will take place on June 17, with three legislators set to be inducted into the cabinet, enabling the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to attain its full strength ahead of the presentation of the Union Territory’s full Budget for 2026-27.
The expansion follows approval from President Droupadi Murmu for the appointment of All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) MLAs P. Rajavelu and V.P. Sivakolundhu, along with BJP legislator G.N.S. Rajasekaran, as ministers. The appointments were cleared on the recommendation of Chief Minister Rangasamy.
According to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office, Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the three ministers at a ceremony scheduled for 9.45 a.m. on June 17. Their appointments will take effect from the date of swearing-in.
The cabinet expansion comes nearly a month after the NDA retained power in the 2026 Assembly elections by winning 18 of the 30 seats in the House. Rangasamy was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 13 along with BJP leader A. Namassivayam and senior AINRC leader Malladi Krishna Rao. Allocation of portfolios was deferred until the completion of the cabinet formation process.
Rajavelu, a senior AINRC leader, has previously served as Deputy Speaker and minister. Sivakolundhu was Speaker of the Assembly during the Congress-led government headed by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy. Rajasekaran, a second-term MLA from Karaikal, will enter the cabinet for the first time. His induction is expected to provide representation to both the Scheduled Caste community and the Karaikal region.
With the induction of the three ministers, the Puducherry cabinet will reach its full sanctioned strength. Government sources indicated that portfolios are likely to be allocated soon after the swearing-in ceremony, while elections to the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker are also expected shortly.
The expansion assumes significance as the government prepares to present its full-fledged Budget for 2026-27. Earlier this year, the Assembly passed a Vote on Account of Rs 5,396 crore to meet expenditure from April to August pending the presentation of the full Budget.
