All India NR Congress founder N Rangasamy on Wednesday took oath as the chief minister of Puducherry for the fifth time.

He was administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan. Bharatiya Janata Party leader A Namassivayam and All India NR Congress’ Malladi Krishna Rao were also sworn in as ministers in the second National Democratic Alliance government in the Union Territory.

The National Democratic Alliance, led by the All India NR Congress, secured a victory in the Puducherry Assembly elections on May 4, winning 18 of the 30 seats.

The Opposition Secular Progressive Alliance, mainly comprising the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, won six seats. Actor-politician Vijay’s newly-founded Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won two seats and its ally, Neyam Makkal Kazhagam, secured one win.

Although the Puducherry Assembly has 33 seats, three of its members are nominated by the Union government. They enjoy the same powers as the 30 MLAs who are directly elected.

Rangasamy had won the Assembly elections from the Thattanchavady and Mangalam seats.

The 76-year-old had served as the chief minister of the Union Territory from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2006 to 2008 as a Congress leader. After founding the All India NR Congress, he was the chief minister of Puducherry between 2011 and 2016.

Rangasamy also headed the All India NR Congress-led National Democratic Alliance government from 2021 to 2026.

Written by Leah Thomas. Edited by Sneha