TMC pulls out of DMK ministry in Pondy

Kannan, who is also president of Pondicherry TMC, said efforts would be made to form a new government after holding consultations with party president G K Moopanar and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha.

In the 33 member House, the DMK has 10 members, Congress eight, TMC seven, AIADMK three, PMK two, CPI, JD(U) and Independent one each.

Soon after TMC’s decision, Chief Minister R V Janakiraman, who has the support of PMK and JD(U) members in the House, went into closed door discussions with his partymen.

Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader V Vaithilingam told reporters that the Congress would stake its claim to form an alternative ministry.

After the 1996 election to the territorial assembly, ADMK-TMC-CPI coalition ministry was formed. Following DMK’s decision to join the National Democratic Alliance in 1998, CPI withdrew its support to the ministry. Subsequently TMC also withdrew its nominee from the cabinet culminating in the withdrawal of support.

Vaithialingam said he would meet the Lt. Governor tonight to stake claim to form government.

He said he would hold consultations with all secular parties before forming an alternative ministry.

The Congress enjoys the support of TMC, CPI and AIADMK in the assembly.

Meanwhile, the TMC tonight said an alternative ministry in Pondicherry was possible and the chief ministerial candidate would be known in a couple of days.

"The strength of Congress and TMC in the Pondicherry Assembly is almost equal and the issue will be settled in two days," TMC President G K Moopanar told reporters here.