Vaithilingam to take over as CM this week

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) A new Puducherry government headed by Congress leader V Vaithilingam will be sworn in on September four or six, highly placed party sources said here today.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has given clearance for the swearing in of a six-member Council of Ministers, who include Mr Valsaraj, Mr Mallady M Krishna Rao, Mr Kandaswamy, Mr Namasivayam and Mr Shahjahan.

Mr Vaithilingam has already been elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the wake of the resignation of the incumbent Chief Minister C Rangasamy following intense groupism in the Puducherry unit leading to demand for change of leadership.

Sources said the delay in the swearing in of Mr Vaithilingam was due to the delay in the completion of the formalities, which include approval from President Pratibha Patil, as Puducherry is a Union Territory.

Mr Vaithilingam was in the city today and held discussions with AICC leaders, who include Mr Arun Kumar and Mr K B Krishnamurthy.

UNI SH PK HS1829