Pondy CM-led delegation calls on Home Minister in Delhi

A joint delegation of Legislators of Puducherry, headed by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, today called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to grant the Union Territory statehood.

The delegation met the Home Minister in Delhi.

Territorial Speaker V Vaithilingam, his deputy V P Sivakolundhu, Ministers and legislators of the ruling Congress, its ally - the DMK, and the opposition AIADMK were part of the delegation.

Legislators of AIl-India N Rangasamy Congress (AINRC), also in the opposition, did not accompany the delegation but would meet the Home Minister separately, a source in the party said.

Sources told newsmen that the Chief Minister had briefed the Home Minister about the need for statehood and handed over to him a copy of the resolution on it, which the Territorial Assembly adopted in the just-concluded session.

The Legislators would return to Puducherry on Wednesday after meeting other Union Ministers and leaders of various parties in the capital to press for statehood, sources said.