Puducherry, May 8:
Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP V. Vaithilingam on Thursday resigned as president of the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), taking moral responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the recent Assembly elections.
Vaithilingam submitted his resignation to the Congress high command following the party’s disappointing showing in the April 9 Assembly polls in the Union Territory, according to party sources.
The Congress leader, who previously served as Chief Minister of Puducherry, was appointed PCC president in 2023 and had led the party into the Assembly election as part of an alliance with the DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
However, the alliance failed to deliver the expected results for the Congress. Contesting in 16 out of the 30 Assembly constituencies under the seat-sharing arrangement, the party managed to secure victory in only one constituency — Oussudu.
Adding to the setback, Vaithilingam himself suffered defeat in the Thattanchavady constituency. He lost to All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) leader and incumbent Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, dealing a major blow to the Congress leadership in the Union Territory.
Party insiders said Vaithilingam decided to step down accepting accountability for the electoral outcome and to allow the party leadership to reorganise ahead of future political battles.
The Congress performance in Puducherry has triggered internal discussions within the party over strategy, alliance management, and organisational weaknesses. Leaders are expected to review the reasons behind the sharp decline in support despite contesting as part of a broader opposition alliance.
The election outcome also strengthened the position of the ruling AINRC-BJP combine, with Chief Minister Rangasamy emerging as one of the key winners of the election.
Vaithilingam continues to serve as the Member of Parliament representing Puducherry in the Lok Sabha. Senior Congress leaders are expected to hold consultations in the coming days regarding the appointment of a new PCC chief and the future course of the party in the Union Territory.
The resignation marks one of the first major political consequences following the Puducherry Assembly election results, as parties begin reassessing leadership and organisational structures after the polls.