Jayalalitha assures support to Cong., TMC in Pondy

By S. Nadarajan

PONDICHERRY, MAY 15. The Congress-TMC combine in Pondicherry appears confident of forming the Government in the Union Territory.

The prospects of a coalition have brightened after the Chief Minister, Mr. P. Shanmugham, met the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader, Ms. Jayalalitha, in Chennai last night.

The Pondicherry leaders were in Chennai to discuses with the TMC president, Mr. G. K. Moopanar, the process of government formation.

Mr. Shanmugham utilised the opportunity to call on Ms. Jayalalitha to congratulate her on the landslide victory and also sought the AIADMK's support for formation of a `secular government' in the Union Territory.

Since the Congress-TMC combine has only 13 members in the new 30- member Assembly, the support of the AIADMK and possibly of two independents will be imperative to ensure a majority.

The PCC president, Mr. V. Narayanaswamy, who was optimistic of firming up the arrangements in a couple of days, told reporters here today that the high command was deputing two observers - the general secretary, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the AICC member, Mr. Motilal Vora - to Pondicherry to see the process of installing a `secular front government' through.

He thanked Ms. Jayalalitha for her readiness to support the `secular front' if a request was made, and said the high command was deputing the senior leader, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, to Chennai to make a formal request.

If the numbers are ensured, the focus will shift to the selection of the legislature party leader, who will then stake the claim to form a Government and take over as Chief Minister.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said the AICC observers would meet party legislators and hear their views. The high command would then take a decision.

Though there may be many aspirants for chief ministership, it appears to be a three-cornered race. The former Chief Minister, Mr. V. Vaithilingam, may be the front-runner right now. Mr. N. Rangaswamy, who tried in vain last year for the top slot, is another contender.

But nobody is writing off the incumbent, Mr. P. Shanmugham, though he did not contest the polls. Party sources say his performance during the brief stint and his good equations with the AIADMK may tilt the scales in his favour. He will have to contest a by-election within six months, and one of the MLAs will have to be persuaded to relinquish his seat.

The Karaikal region has been identified as the ``most favourable'' as it returned four of the six party nominees.

The Congress is also wooing the two independents and the Yenam front has already made it known that its leader should be taken into the Cabinet if any of the alliances wants his support.

Another issue that needs to be sorted out is whether the AIADMK should join the Government or extend ``outside support''.

The Congress appears willing to follow the rules of coalition and also in providing adequate representation to castes as well as regions.

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