2006 eventful year for Congress in Puducherry

Puducherry, Dec 29: The year 2006 was an eventful one with the Congress coming back to power for a second sucessive term, though with a reduced strength.

The year also witnessed the long overdue local body elections in the Union Territory and the downfall of a minister within six months of assuming office.

Assembly elections were held in the Union Territory in two phases on May 3 and 8. Congress could win only ten seats, one less than it's tally in the last assembly.

However, with the Democratic Progressive Alliance annexing 20 seats in the 30 member territorial assembly, the Congress which is leading the DPA here and was the single largest party formed the government with outside support of it's allies.

Mr N Rangasamy who was elected CLP leader on May 13, assumed office on May 18 as the 15th Chief Minister of Puducherry. His cabinet was expanded on May 29 with the induction of five ministers.

The Congress suffered a jolt in the elections when the people of Karaikal region, considered a party citadel, rejected the party.

None of the four candidates fielded by the party could win in the elections. The alleged neglect of the region by the administration is stated to be the reason for the rejection of the Congress.

The much awaited local body elections were also held in the UT in three phases of June 24 and 27 and on July 1 after a gap of 38 years.

While the DMK, an ally of the Congress, bagged the post of the Puducherry Municipal Chairperson, the Congress won the post in Ozhukarai, Mahe and Yana municipalities.

However, the Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam, party of actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth bagged the post of Karaikal Municipal Chairperson.

Though, the election process was completed about five months back, it seems Congress is reluctant in devolving powers to the elected local body representatives.

The representatives organised several agitations including a fast for the devolution of programmes to them and finally on December 18, the Puducherry Municipality and Commune Panchayat Acts were amended in the winter session of the Territorial Assembly which would envisage the devolution of powers to them.

However, the government is yet to issue an order in this regard and the wait by the councillors and panchayat presidents continues.

Puducherry Social Welfare minister P Angalan, who assumed office on May 29 had to step down on November 18 following direction from the AICC. It all happened when Mr Angalan's second wife Kavi Priya preferred complaints with the Lt Governor, Chief Minister and senior police officials that she was being harassed and tortured by the minister and that he wanted to get rid of her to marry another girl.

The year also witnessed an unprecedented strike by the employees of the Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research(JIPMER) causing hardship to the patients. They started the strike on September 8 following the move by the Centre to convert JIPMER into an autonomous institution.

The strike continued for 22 days throwing medical services in the centrally administered institution out of gear. On September 30, they called off the agitation and resumed duty following a Madras High Court directive.

The year also witnessed former Arunchal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi being sworn in as the new Lt.Governor of Puducherry on July 19 in place of Lt Gen M M Lakhera who was posted as the Governor of Mizoram.

UNI