Puducherry polls: A. Johnkumar fights from Mudaliarpet on BJP ticket | 5 facts

E-PaperSubscribeSubscribeEnjoy unlimited accessSubscribe Now! Get features like A. Johnkumar is a Bharatiya Janata Party leader who contested the 2026 Puducherry assembly election from the Mudaliarpet seat, result of which will be out on May 4. For the 2026 elections, Johnkumar is a key pillar of the BJP's 10-seat campaign in Puducherry. (Newsonair)Johnkumar is crucial figure in Puducherry politics due to his status as one of the wealthiest legislators in the Union Territory and his history of winning by massive margins across different constituencies. Johnkumar, who rose to power from the business community and gained fame as a "kingmaker" for the Congress before defecting to the BJP in 2021, filed his candidacy from this seat to expand his influence in the southern suburbs. His primary support comes from the business class, the Christian minority community, and the urban poor, who have been beneficiaries of his extensive local philanthropy and "door-step" grievance resolution. Khushbu Sahu is a journalist with the online desk, assisting with research, writing, editing, and curating digital content, while gaining experience in SEO and content publishing workflows. She is currently pursuing a PGDM in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Khushbu holds a Bachelor’s degree in German from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where she developed a strong foundation in language, culture, and global perspectives. She was awarded a scholarship to attend a language programme at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, which provided her with international exposure and an opportunity to engage with diverse cultural and academic environments across Europe. Her areas of interest include politics, international relations, public policy, and human-interest stories. She is particularly interested in exploring how policies impact communities on the ground. Previously, she worked as a content writer with Karamrath and was associated with the Gandhi Fellowship, where she engaged in grassroots development initiatives. She has also interned in the public policy space, contributing to research and programme development in the education sector.Read More