Ex-CM launches political party

Puducherry, Feb 7 (PTI): Estranged Congress leader andformer Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today launchedhis political party- All India N R Congress- at the partyheadquarters here, saying it would strive hard for broad-baseddevelopment of the union territory.

Speaking to reporters later, he said the party is committedto ameliorate the lot of farmers,students and weaker sections.

"It will strive hard for broad-based development of the UnionTerritory," he said.

Asked if the party had decided to work out an alliance withlike-minded parties in the coming elections, due in May,Rangasamy who quit Congress and the MLA post on January 20said all these niceties would be decided soon.

Rangasamy said he had submitted a petition to the Electioncommission as required by the statute, seeking registrationof the party.

Rangasamy was Congress Chief Minister twice in a row in2001 and 2006. He was elected without break to the Assemblyfrom Thattanchavady constituency in all the polls held in 1991and thereafter.

He was ousted from office in August 2008 following a yearlong revolt against him by his ministerial colleagues then.

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

Rangasamy had kept away from all party functions andgovernment programmes since his ouster. PTI COR APR