Cong leader Narayanasamy questions delay in full Cabinet formation in Puducherry

Puducherry, May 17 (PTI) Congress leader V Narayanasamy on Sunday questioned the delay in forming a full-fledged ministry in Puducherry, following the partial swearing-in of the new Cabinet. Founder of the AINRC and leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Union Territory of Puducherry, N Rangasamy, was sworn in as the CM of Puducherry for the fifth time on May 13. Addressing reporters at his residence, Narayanasamy said that only the CM (Rangasamy) and two ministers, including one from the BJP, had been sworn in, while three more ministers were yet to be inducted into the AINRC-led coalition ministry. The former CM also criticised the delay in finalising the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. “What is the reason for the delay in forming a full-fledged ministry? Normally, Puducherry would have a six-member ministry, including the CM. But the formation of the ministry is being done in phases,” he said, and asked the CM (Rangasamy) to explain the reason for the delay. He said that the Congress would closely monitor the performance of the new coalition ministry for six months and would launch protests to criticise the government if there were any lapses or irregularities in its functioning. He also alleged that there were rumours that ministerial posts were being “auctioned,” and said the CM should therefore explain the delay. He further said that the Congress suffered a setback in the polls due to confusion in finalising seats to contest. The Congress contested 16 seats but won only one seat in the Oussudu reserved constituency, while its alliance partner DMK won five out of the 13 seats it contested. The VCK, another INDIA bloc partner, lost in the Oulgaret constituency. In the Assembly polls held on April 9, the AINRC emerged victorious in 12 out of 16 segments it contested, while its coalition partner, the BJP, won four out of 10 seats it fought. The AIADMK and the Lakshiya Jananayaga Katchi won one seat each, taking the total strength of the NDA to 18 in the 30-member House. PTI SSK