Protests continues over renomination of Narayanasamy

, Apr 1: Union Minister V Narayanasamy continued to face protests from sections of partymen over his renomination for the April 24 polls from the lone parliament seat.

A batch of functionaries of Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee today quit the party and announced that they were relieving themselves of primary membership in the organisation to mark their protest against "arbitrary and autocratic style of functioning of PCC" in selecting candidate for the poll.

Former MLA and General Secretary of the PCC S Manohar, who led a group of functionaries, including from block level committees alleged that PCC was functioning "arbitrarily and undemocratic manner as per the directives of the AICC".

He said "it is really shocking that the PCC did not call for applications from those aspiring for party ticket to contest the poll". The local Congress leadership was also giving "wrong" picture to the high command about the functioning of the party. "To show our discontent, we have decided to quit the party", he said.

About 50 functionaries of different wings of the party had on March 14 resigned from all responsibilities and primary memberships to protest against the 'arbitrary and undemocratic manner' in which Narayanasamy's candidature was finalised.

PTI