Around 150 gold coins bearing PM Modi's image seized in Puducherry ahead of assembly polls

Amid election season, around 150 gold coins with PM Modi's im in packets were seized in Puducherry's Thirunallar Constituency on Sunday. Soon after coins were seized, authorities stated that a case has been registered and y have launched an investigation into it. 

Union Territory of Puducherry has been reeling under immense political crisis in recent months, which began with ouster of Lieutenant Goverr (LG) Kiran Bedi in February and Goverr of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan given ditional charge as LG of Puducherry. reafter, in a span of five days, Congress-led government of Puducherry heed by chief minister V Narayanasamy collapsed after losing majority in legislative assembly and trust vote on floor.

Elections are scheduled in UT on April 6 in a single-phase to elect members for 30 constituencies of Puducherry in dition to three minated seats, whereas counting of votes will be held on May 2, along with vote-counting of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nu and Kerala.

Congress is looking to return to power in UT again and will be fighting election in alliance with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and some smaller parties, including Left parties. BJP on or hand is contesting elections in alliance with AIMK and All India NR Congress (AINRC). BJP has also anunced CM candidate as N Rangasamy chief of AINRC, who has been a former chief minister of UT and a popular political figure. He has been Leer of opposition from 2016 to 2021 during Congress rule. Meanwhile, former CM Narayanasamy has stated that BJP will ditch AINRC after election while ding that Rangasamy should be cautious of BJP's intentions.