Crucial CLP meeting on Aug 25 in Pondy

Puducherry, Aug 24 (UNI) The crucial meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Puducherry will be held tomorrow amid tight security.

The meeting was considered as an 'acid test' for Chief Minister N Rangasamy in the backdrop of his ''strained ties'' with his cabinet colleagues.

The CLP was reportedly convened to discuss the prevailing political situation here. The meeting, earlier scheduled to meet on August 18, was postponed after Mr Rangasamy's meeting with AICC president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi recently.

All the five ministers had raised a banner of revolt against the Chief Minister for his ''authoritarian attitude.'' They even demanded that the AICC remove him from the post of Chief Minister. As the AICC's response in this regard was delayed, they began non-cooperation and boycotted cabinet meetings, leading to political uncertainty in the Union Territory.

Security had been beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents. As many as 1,500 police personnel would be deployed at the meeting venue tomorrow.

Meanwhile, three ministers and five Legislatures, supporting them, are out of town and likely to arrive tomorrow morning. The Chief Minister, who is also out of the town, is expected to reach by this evening.

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