Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister-designate N. Rangasamy on Wednesday expressed confidence that the Union Territory would soon attain full Statehood, asserting that the NDA government was continuously pressing the Centre on the long-pending demand.
Rangasamy, who is preparing to assume office for a record fifth term after the NDA retained power in the recently concluded Puducherry Assembly elections, made the remarks during a visit to Salem in Tamil Nadu.
He arrived in the city and visited the famous Appa Paithiyam Swamy Temple at Suramangalam, where he offered prayers and participated in a special pooja.
Speaking to reporters after the temple visit, Rangasamy also extended his greetings to C. Vijay Joseph, whose party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats.
“My congratulations to Vijay. I wish him success in functioning effectively and implementing several welfare schemes for the people,” Rangasamy said, amid fast-moving political developments in Tamil Nadu over government formation.
The Puducherry Chief Minister-designate’s remarks come at a time when TVK is engaged in efforts to secure support from other parties to form the government in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The Congress and several smaller parties have already indicated support for the Vijay-led outfit, while political consultations continue in Chennai.
Responding to questions on the long-standing demand for Puducherry Statehood, Rangasamy reiterated that the issue remained a priority for his government. “We are continuously urging the Union government. Statehood will be achieved soon. As part of the NDA, we are consistently pressing for it,” he said.
On the formation of the new Puducherry Cabinet, Rangasamy said details regarding ministerial appointments and portfolio allocation would become clear after the swearing-in ceremony and the formal assumption of office by the new government.
When asked about Tamil Nadu Congress leaders extending support to TVK, Rangasamy said such political developments were natural in a situation where support was necessary to form a stable government.
(IANS)
