Pondy Cong strive for compromise with estranged leader

Puducherry,Jan19 (PTI) Amid speculation that estrangedCongress leader N Rangasamy is planning to float a new outfithere, the party today held discussions with the formerPuducherry Chief Minister.

Former Tamil Nadu PCC leader Krishnaswamy, MP, andPuducherry PCC president A V Subramanian met Rangasamy at hisresidence in a bid to ensure that he dropped his plan, if any,to launch a new outfit to take on the Congress in the ccomingassembly polls.

Subramanian and Krishnaswamy jointly held talks withRangasamy for some 20 minutes. The latter also met himseparately.

After the meeting, Subramanian told reporters that he andKrishnaswamy met Rangasamy as per directives of the AICC as"we want Rangasamy to be in Congress".

He hoped that Rangasamy would come out with a positiveresponse.

He said he had some days ago talked to Rangasamy to ensurethat he remained with the Congress.

To persistent queries as to whether his mission wassuccessful, Krishnaswamy said he met the former ChiefMinister while driving through Puducherry "out of courtesy."

Rangasamy also declined to comment about the outcomeof the parleys. "There is no news for now. I will call you andconvey the news," he said.

Rangasamy was ousted from office in August 2008 followinga year long revolt against him by his ministerial colleaguesthen.

The present Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, who was amongthe ministers who were up in arms against Rangasamy, took overthe reins of state affairs in September 2008.

A large number of supporters of Rangasamy thronged hisresidence when news spread that a Congress team was meetingthe leader.

Speculation is rife that the N.R.Peravai floated byRangasamy''s supporters some time ago would be converted into apolitical party to challenge the Congress in the assemblypolls due in May.

Rangasamy is however keeping his plans close to his chestand is non-committal.