Race hots up for Pondicherry CM post

Puducherrry: Jockeying for Chief Minister’s post is on full swing in Puducherry Congress with PCC chief A. Namasivayam and senior leader V. Vaithilingam being the frontrunners for the top post.

Congress, which dislodged the NR Congress Government led by N. Rangasamy on Thursday by winning 15 seats, is likely to call a meeting of the newly-elected legislators by Monday.

The meeting, which will be attended by AICC observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik, is likely to authorise Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to choose the next Chief Minister.

Sources in the Puducherry Congress said on Friday that both Mr Namasivayam and Mr Vaithilingam, who had served as Chief Minister during 1991-1996 and 2008-2011, are lobbying with the high command to become Chief Minister of this tiny Union Territory. Along with its ally DMK, the strength of the Congress combine is 17 in the 30-member Assembly.

Though former Union minister V. Narayanasamy evinced interest to lead the state, the Congress high command is understood to have told the party unit that only a member of the legislature party will be elected as its leader.

Sources said Mr Namasivayam has an edge in the race since he was one of the vociferous opponents of Mr Rangasamy and had steered the party to victory after a gap of five years.

“The party feels it needs a person who can take on Rangasamy directly as N R Congress is the only party that challenges the Congress,” a senior leader said.
Namasivayam, 47, an MLA for 15 years, belongs to the dominant Vanniyar caste is related to Mr Rangasamy. If Mr Namasivayam is made the Chief Minister, the sources said, Mr Vaithilingam will be accommodated in the Cabinet.