Puducherry: Former Union Minister of State and All India Congress Committee General Secretary (AICC) V Narayanasamy reportedly expressed to his party that he wants to be the Chief Minister of Puducherry, where Congress-DMK alliance won in the recently concluded Assembly polls.
According to a report in Indian Express, the Congress leader’s sudden move has come as a surprise for the party and had led to the delay in government formation in the union territory (UT).
Read: Congress yet to decide on Legislature party leader in Puducherry
Born and raised in Puducherry, Narayanasamy has represented the UT as an MP in the past, but did not contest the polls this time around. But sources told the paper, that Narayansamy has claimed that he has the backing of many MLAs. But those against his candidature for the top post have refuted his claim and alleged that he has the support of only 5 Congress MLAs.
In the May 16 Assembly polls, Congress won 15 seats, while DMK two as the combine unseated the ruling AINRC which ended with eight seats in the 30-member Assembly. Narayanasamy's decision has however caused fissures in the government that is yet to take charge.
Read: Congress-DMK puts an end to Rangaswami’s rule in Puducherry
The other contender for the post is Congress state chief Namachivayam, who has approached party supremo Sonia Gandhi to end the deadlock.
V Vaithilingam, who was the leader of opposition during the previous government’s tenure is also in the race for being the Chief Minister and has been a two-time CM in the past.
