Tmc Pulls Out In Pondicherry, Govt Tottering

THE TAMIL Manila Congress today withdrew its support for the DMK-led government in Pondicherry and Leader of the Opposition in the Pondicherry Assembly V Vaithilingam of the Congress said his party would stake its claim to form an alternative government.

With TMC's withdrawal, the Janakiraman Government has become a minority government enjoying the support of only 12 MLAs in the House of 30, not counting the three nominated members.

Four months after pulling out of the coalition, the TMC had refrained from withdrawing support as it was unable to reach an understanding with the Congress on who should lead the alternative government. However, later in the day, the Congress leader told reporters that the Congress would form the next government with the support of the TMC, AIADMK and CPI.

 

The TMC and the Congress have still not reached an agreement on who should be the Chief Minister. The Congress, with seven MLAs, has been refusing to give up the Chief Minister's post. The AIADMK, which has three MLAs, has added a rider that it should be part of the new coalition government and will not be satisfied with just lending outside support.