Puducherry cabinet shuffle: Why is BJP facing backlash from Hindu Munnani for making John Kumar minister?
In a significant move indicating a churn in Puducherry politics, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator representing Kamaraj Nagar constituency, A. John Kumar, was sworn in as minister in the Puducherry Cabinet led by Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy. John Kumar's appointment as minister comes just months ahead of the 2026 general assembly elections.
Kumar has been inducted into the cabinet after A.K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar resigned, following a prior understanding in the BJP at the time of government formation in 2021 to share the cabinet berth among two of its legislators. A former Congressman, Kumar switched loyalties in 2021 ahead of the assembly elections, with a demand for a minister post.
But, the BJP did not induct him into the cabinet soon after the fall of the Congress government led by V. Narayanasamy. Kumar camped in Delhi for more than three days. But nothing moved forward. And soon in May, as the AINRC-BJP alliance climbed to power, a new arrangement was reached between the two parties to share the cabinet positions. On Monday, Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kumar in the presence of Rangasamy, Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam and others.
“A Christian has been given an opportunity in the Puducherry Cabinet after 34 long years. I am overwhelmed,” Kumar told reporters.
In 2023, Chandra Priyanga resigned from the council of ministers while PNR Thirumurugan was inducted. And then again, a few weeks before, the Rangaswamy government saw changes as the nominated MLAs V.P. Ramalingam, K. Venkatesan and R.B. Ashok Babu resigned. Following this, three others - E. Theeppainthan, G.N.S. Rajasekaran, and V. Selvam - were administered the oath of office by Assembly Speaker R. Selvam.
The resignations, according to sources, were directed by the BJP high command to bring significant changes in the party’s state unit ahead of the elections. The changes were made amidst growing differences between Chief Minister Rangaswamy and Governor Kailashnathan. In a Union territory which was traditionally dominated by the Congress, and the DMK at times, has now turned into the BJP’s lone bastion. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rules the Union territory now in alliance with Rangaswamy’s AINRC. But the high command reorganising the state unit ahead of the elections and bringing changes in the cabinet is viewed as a move to resolve the internal dissent in the party and prepare for the ensuing 2026 elections.
India