Rangasamy quits MLA post

Puducherry,Jan 20 (PTI) Former Puducherry Chief Ministerand estranged Congress leader N.Rangasamy today resigned hisassembly membership.

He submitted his resignation addressed to SpeakerR Radhakrishan, to the Secretary of the Legislative AssemblyM.Sivaprakasam.

Sivaprakasam told reporters that Rangasamy submittedthe resignation to him as the Speaker was not in office.

With his resignation, the strength of the Congress hascome down from 13 to 12 in the 30-member assembly.

Amid speculation that Rangasamy was planning to float anew political outfit, former Tamil Nadu Congress Committeechief M Krishnaswamy and Puducherry PCC president A VSubramanian had met him yesterday for a reconciliation.

Subramanian had said they had met Rangasamy as perdirectives of the AICC as "we want Rangasamy to be inCongress".

Rangasamy represented the Thattanchavady Assemblyconstituency without break in all the assembly polls held in1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. He was the chief minister twice in2001 and 2006.

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

Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, who was among theministers who were up in arms against Rangasamy, took over thereins in September 2008.

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.

In the 30-member assembly, the seven-member DMK and threeIndependents are supporting the government from outside.

The opposition AIADMK has three members, PMK (two), CPI andMDMK (one each).