Induction of Ministers likely on Sunday

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, APRIL 14. The expansion of the Congress (I)-led coalition Ministry in the Union Territory will take place on April 16, according to informed sources.

Congress (I) MLAs, Mr. N. Rangasamy and Mr. E. Valsaraj, and TMC representative, Mr. Theni C. Jayakumar, would be inducted into the Ministry headed by Mr. P. Shanmugham, which presently has only former Home Minister and TMC member, Mr. P. Kannan. Mr. Kannan, however, has not yet been allotted a portfolio as the expansion of the Ministry is not complete.

As a decision on the sixth incumbent - who would be a TMC member from a reserved segment - has not been taken, the third and final phase of expansion, to ensure a six-member cabinet, would take place within April.

While Mr. Rangasamy and Mr. Jayakumar were former Ministers, Mr. E. Valsaraj elected from Mahe would be a Ministerial debutant.

The `delay' in providing a full-fledged Government by the coalition, due to the controversy involving the inclusion of a nominated MLA in the list, invited criticism from the Opposition who had demanded the dissolution of the Assembly.

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Section  : Regional
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