Newly elected Congress MLA takes oath in Puducherry

The newly elected MLA of the Puducherry Assembly A John Kumar was sworn in here on Friday.

Assembly Speaker V P Sivakolundhu administered the oath of office to John Kumar of the Congress, who was elected in the by-poll held to the Kamaraj Nagar constituency on October 21.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Ministers and legislators of the ruling Congress and its alliance partner the DMK were present during brief ceremony held on the precincts of the Assembly.

Opposition AINRC, AIADMK and BJP MLAs were conspicuous by their absence.

The by-election was held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of V Vaithilingam (Congress) following his election to the Lok Sabha from Puducherry in the polls held in April.

With the induction of Kumar, the strength of the Congress in the Assembly has been restored to 15.

The Congress enjoys the support of the three-member DMK from outside.