A V Subramanian appointed Pondy Congress chief

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) A V Subramanian will be the new Pradesh Congress Committee President of Puducherry.

Mr Subramanian, whose appointment was today cleared by party president Sonia Gandhi, is expected to assume the office in a couple of days.

The 61-year-old mechanical engineer was born in Karaikal region of the Union Territory. He held the post of Deputy Speaker during 1991-96 and was a Legislator during 1996-99. He was the Assembly Speaker from 1999 to 2001 and Education Minister from 2001 to 2002.

He was again appointed Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2006.

Mr Subramanian will replace P Shanmugham, who had been holding the post for about 25 years.

Mr Shanmugham was replaced by Mr V Narayanasamy on May 19, 2000.

However, he was reinstated as PCC President on August 11, 2005.

Mr Shanmugham had reportedly urged the AICC to relieve him from duty due to old age and health problems.

UNI SH/PAB SP PM1830