Not aware of reason for delay in notifying portfolio list, says Puducherry Chief Minister

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy flagging off Ocean Sailing Expedition — SWARNUM 2026 — at Thengaithittu Fishing Harbour in Puducherry on Monday. | Photo Credit: S.S. KUMAR Students participating in Ocean Sailing Expedition — SWARNUM 2026 — at Thengaithittu Fishing Harbour in Puducherry on Monday. | Photo Credit: KUMAR SS Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC founder N. Rangasamy on Monday said he was not aware of the reason for the delay in notifying the portfolios for the Ministers in his government run in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.“I don’t know the reason for the delay,” he said to a question from media persons on the side lines of an event to flag off NCC’s ocean sailing expedition, Swarnum 2026, at Thengaithittu harbour. Mr. Rangasamy after visiting Lok Niwas on July 20 had told journalists that the portfolio list was submitted to the Lieutenant Governor. He submitted the list after facing severe criticism from the Opposition parties for not allocating portfolios even two months after he and five Ministers assumed charge following the National Democratic Alliance’s return to power in the April 2026 Assembly polls in the Union Territory. The Chief Minister did not respond to a question whether the delay was owing to the unhappiness of the subjects allocated to the two BJP Ministers in his Cabinet.On the expedition taken out by the NCC cadets, the Chief Minister said the training given by the organisation would help the students face life with courage and conviction. The NCC in a release said around 60 cadets were participating in the two-month-long expedition taken out on the east coast. The cadets will sail from Puducherry to Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi and Chennai. “The voyage will provide the young cadets first-hand experience in seamanship, navigation, teamwork, survival skills and maritime heritage, while strengthening their confidence, endurance and commitment to national service,” the release said.Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan, Ariankuppam legislator C. Aiyappan alias Mouttayappan and senior NCC officials participated in the flagging off ceremony. Published - July 27, 2026 09:01 pm IST