V.P. Ramalingam set to head BJP Puducherry unit

The Puducherry unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to be headed by businessman-turned-politician and former nominated legislator V.P. Ramalingam.

On the day of filing of nomination for the post of the local unit president on Sunday (June 29, 2025), Mr. Ramalingam was the lone member to submit his papers.

Accompanied by senior leaders of the party, Mr. Ramalingam submitted the papers before the returning officer M.K. Akilan at the BJP office near Indira Gandhi statue. An official announcement of his election as the next president will be made on Monday in the presence of national general secretary and election in-charge for the union territory, Tarun Chugh.

Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Member of Parliament and incumbent president S. Selvaganbathy, former Minister A.K. Sai Saravanan Kumar, party in-charge for UT Nirmal Kumar Surana and legislators were present at the time of filing of nomination.

Mr. Ramalingam was among the three nominated legislators who submitted their resignations following a direction from party high command. A former Congress man, Mr. Ramalingam joined the BJP during the time of 2021 Assembly election. He was made a nominated MLA immediately after the Assembly election results were announced.

His brother V.P. Sivakolundhu was the Speaker in the previous Congress government headed by V. Narayanasamy, which fell days ahead of completing its tenure following defection of party legislators to All India N.R. Congress and BJP. When Mr. Ramalingam joined the BJP in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah during a campaign event at Karaikal, Mr. Sivakolundhu resigned the Speaker post citing health reasons.

Mr. Ramalingam’s family is into several business ventures including real estate, hospitality and packaged drinking water manufacturing. He belongs to the influential Mudaliar community in the Union Territory.