Congress prays and hopes as Puducherry votes

Image: An old lady voter showing the ink mark on her finger after casting her vote at a polling booth in Katterikuppam, in Puducherry
Photographs: PIB Photo

Over 8.1 lakh voters are exercising their franchise in the union territory of Puducherry for the 30-member assembly where ruling Congress is contesting 17 seats.

Coverage: Assembly Elections 2011

Polling is taking place on a brisk note and large queues were seen before the booths

The Congress-led combine, including DMK and PMK, is facing a tough challenge from the front led by former chief minister N Rangasamy's All India NR Congress that has AIADMK in its fold

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Congress prays and hopes as Puducherry votes

Image: A long queue of female voters at a polling booth in Ozhukarai constituency in Puducherry

The All India NR Congress has fielded candidates in 17 seats and its partner AIADMK in 10.

Congress's main ally DMK is contesting ten seats.

During campaigning, Congress and its allies harped on the development theme, saying Puducherry would continue to witness developmental activities if Congress along with its alliance partners were given a renewed mandate.

Congress prays and hopes as Puducherry votes

Image: An old man arrives at a polling booth in Sorapet, to cast his vote in Puducherry

The main contestants are Assembly Speaker R Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister V Vaithilingam and all his five ministerial colleagues, Puducherry unit's DMK convener and former chief minister R V Janakiraman, and Rangasamy, who is chief ministerial candidate of the rival front.

There are in all 187 contestants including 78 Independents in the fray.

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