Cong’s Puducherry govt gets PMC prop

CHENNAI: With its splinter group, Puducherry Munnetra Congress (PMC), extending its support to the three-year-old Congress ministry in Puducherry, the government has sought to retain power on its own, without depending entirely on DMK. The DMK government in Tamil Nadu is dependent on the support of Congress to stay in power though both parties have cordial relations.

PMC, led by former minister P Kannan, has announced the support of its three MLAs to the Congress ministry in Puducherry led by chief minister V Vaithilingam following the request made by Congress to PMC. In the 30-member assembly, Congress with 10 members at the moment is dependent on the support of 7 DMK MLAs.

Political observers said the development is crucial as in the event of any political upheaval, Congress is hopeful of counting on the support of three Independent MLAs in addition to the support assured by PMC. Any government in the territory needs the support of minimum 16 MLAs for an absolute majority.

Congress had lost the support of erstwhile allies, PMK (two MLAs), CPI (1) and MDMK (1) when they crossed over to the AIADMK (3 MLAs) camp during Lok Sabha elections. The opposition has seven members while Congress, DMK, PMC and independent have 23 members.

PMC���s support to the Congress was extended first during the LS poll when it backed the Congress candidate Narayanasamy. Now, in turn, it is said there is a chance of Congress giving a Rajya Sabha seat to PMC leader Kannan.

For some time, infighting had gripped the Puducherry Congress with a section of party leaders revolting against former chief minister N Rangasamy. He was replaced by Vaithilingam as CM.

The strengthening of the party position in the assembly augurs well for the state as it comes when Puducherry is attracting interest from industrial groups and entrepreneurs in sectors like power, port, IT, tourism, hotel and education.