Ex-Minister Angalane resigns as MLA in Puducherry

Days after quitting the ruling AINRC and joining the Congress, former minister P Angalane today resigned from membership of the union territory assembly, which is set to go for elections on May 16.
Angalane submitted his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker V Sabapathy at the latter's chamber here.
He later told PTI that he resigned as MLA since he had joined the Congress, his parent party.
Angalane had resigned from AINRC on March 14 protesting "continued neglect" of his Thirubhuvanai (Reserved) constituency, from where he had been elected consecutively since 2001, 2006 and 2011, and later joined Congress.
He had accused Chief Minister N Rangasamy of neglecting his constituency.

While in2001 and 2006 he was elected on Congress ticket, he joined the AINRC, floated by Rangasamy after breaking away from Congress a few months ahead of the polls in 2011, and retained the seat.

Angalane was Welfare Minister in the Congress ministry headed then by Rangasamy in 2001.
With his resignation, the strength of the AINRC in the 30-member Assembly has come down to 14 from 15.
Party wise breakup in the Assembly now is: AINRC 14 (including Speaker), independent (one), who is supporting the government from outside, Congress (seven), AIADMK (five) and DMK (two). Besides there are three nominated members.