Pudu' CM calls on Karunanidhi

Chennai: Former union minister of state in UPA government and senior Congress leader V. Narayanasamy, who is set to become Chief Minister of Puducherry, on Sunday called on DMK president M Karunanidhi and obtained his party’s letter of support for forming the government in the neighbouring Union Territory.

“Today I met (DMK President) Dr Kalaignar. It was a courtesy call. I sought his blessings as he is a senior leader. The Congress-DMK alliance will take up all steps to make Puducherry prosperous,” he told reporters on emerging from Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence here.

 Narayanasamy, who was elected leader of the 15-member Congress Legislature party on Saturday, said welfare schemes, including for creation of jobs, would be evolved.

“We (Congress-DMK) will jointly work together for the welfare of the Puducherry,” he said. He added his government would also work together with the BJP-led central government for the development of Puducherry.

“Even if it is a BJP led government at the Centre, for the development of Puducherry, we will work together and bring in new schemes,” he said.

Narayanasamy did not contest the May 16 assembly elections in which Congress-DMK alliance secured a simple majority of 17 in the 30-member House. Karunanidhi gave him the latter pledging the support of DMK’s 2 MLAs.

“We will give that letter to Lieutenant Governor (of Puducherry) and stake a claim to form the government,” he said, responding to a query.

Asked whether supporters of PCC president A. Namassivayam would be included in his cabinet, Narayanasamy said Congress president Sonia Gandhi would take a decision in this regard. Namassivayam was among the top contenders for the Chief Minister’s post but Narayanasamy emerged the unanimous choice in the CLP meeting.