Puducherry CM and All India NR Congress (AINRC) leader N Rangaswamy is leading in the Assembly elections, according to early trends. He is contesting from Thattanchavady, which has elected him several times. Meanwhile, Neyam Makkal Kazhagam (NMK) leader E Vinayagam is trailing with 4,336 votes. The AINRC is contesting as part of the NDA alliance.