Puducherry, May 15: All India NR Congress founder N Rangasamy, whose party made a stunning electoral debut in alliance with AIADMK to dethrone his former party Congress in the April 13 assembly polls, will be sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister tomorrow.
Official said Rangasamy alone will be administered oath of office by Lt Governor Iqbal Singh at Raj Nivas.However, there is no clarity yet on whether 61-year-old Rangasamy would head a coalition government or not. AINRC had won 15 seats and the AIADMK five in the 30-member Assembly.
Two-time Chief Minister Rangasamy returns to power nearly three years after being unceremoniously removed by Congress high command following a revolt by his cabinet colleagues.
Rangasamy, who took sweet revenge on Congress by storming to power after floating the party before the polls, today met Lt Governor and staked his claim to form the government, soon after being elected AINRC Legislature Party leader.
Accompanied by party MLAs, he met Singh at Raj Nivas and handed over the letter signed by the legislators electing him as their leader. Independent MLA V M C Sivakumar, who also accompanied him, gave a letter extending support to AINRC, the officials said.
With the support of Sivakumar, a rebel DMK man, the AINRC would command a simple majority of 16 in the 30-member House.Being a Union Territory, the Lt Governor has forwarded Rangasamy's letter staking claim to form government to the Home Ministry for clearance, the officials said, adding it was only a formality.
Rangasamy was evasive to questions by reporters whether it would be single party rule by AINRC or a coalition with the AIADMK sharing power.“We will form the government with the full support of the AIADMK,” he said but did not elaborate.
Rangasamy, who won from both seats he contested, said his government would fulfill all promises made in the AINRC manifesto. The special component plan meant for the Scheduled Castes would be implemented in letter and spirit.
He thanked AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, who had named him Chief Ministerial candidate of the front during the campaign and leaders of other allies who had worked hard for the victory of the combine.
Nicknamed ‘Junior Kamaraj' for his simple living,Rangasamy used to ride a bike rather than travel in a car even when he was Chief Minister and was credited with launching a slew of developmental projects and free breakfast scheme for school children in Puducherry in his seven-year stint at the helm. PTI
