Rebels returning to PMK?

By S. Nadarajan

PONDICHERRY, APRIL 21. Mr.N. Manimaran, member of the PMK's high level committee and former Education Minister, has been appointed president of the party's Pondicherry unit. He replaces Mr. M. Manjini, who quit the party in protect against the party founder, Dr. Ramadoss ``autocratic style of functioning.''

Mr. Manimaran had been MLA and also Education Minister when the DMK in alliance with the Congress ruled the Union Territory in 1990.

Mr.P. Sankaran, who quit as vice-president of the party's headquarters committee, also rejoined today.

Mr. Manimaran told reporters that those who quit the party following their ``emotional outbursts'' were now coming back. He expressed the hope that Mr. Manjini and Mr. Govindarajan would come back soon.

Mr. Sankaran said he and a few other functionaries had only expressed their displeasure over certain aspects of the party, but had now returned. He made the decision after Dr. Ramadoss spoke to him last night, Mr. Sankaran said.

Charging the DMK and also its Pondicherry leaders with trying to cause a split among PMK men, Mr. Sankaran said he and a few other party leaders who quit were approached by the DMK convener, Mr.R.V. Janakiraman, for a ``friendly'' talk, but were taken to Tiruchi yesterday for a meeting with the DMK Chief, Mr. Karunanidhi.

Cong.man joins PMC

Meanwhile, Mr.P. Rajavelu, Congress functionary in Bahoor and former Social Welfare Minister, today quit the party and joined the Puduchery Makkal Congress (PMC).

Mr. Rajavelu is now the PMC nominee in the Bahoor (reserved) constituency. With the Congress reportedly conceding it to the TMC to field the Social Welfare Minister Mr. M. Kandaswamy, again, Mr. Rajavelu quit the party in revolt.

The PMC founder, Mr. Kannan, said the party had fielded Mr.A. Elumalai in Oussudu (reserved) constituency again. The PMC, a constituent of the DMK-led NDA, is contesting in nine constituencies (eight in Pondicherry and one in Karaikal).

Mr. Rajavelu was Social Welfare Minister in the DMK- Janata Party coalition Ministry in 1990.

Mr.Pethaperumal, president of the Janata Dal (United), is now contesting in Thattanchavady. With the JD(U) being a constituent of the DMK-led NDA, Mr. Rajavelu and Mr. Pethaperumal, who were adversaries in the past, are now finding themselves in the same front after literally burying their hatchets.

CPI nominees

Mr. N. Kalainathan, secretary of the Pondicherry State committee of the CPI, told presspersons here today that the party would contest from Reddiarpalayam and Bussy constituencies.

Already, the sitting legislator, Mr. R. Viswanathan, had been campaigning in Reddipalayam in a bid to retain the constituency.

Mr.A. Abdhul Rasheed, a lawyer, is fielded in Bussy. Mr. Kalainathan said there was little possibility of the party fielding a candidate in Nellithope though it had aspired to contest in three constituencies.

In Reddiarpalayam, the CPI candidate is pitted against the BJP State president, Mr. A.M. Krishnamoorthy.

The PMK has fielded Mr.N.G.P. Panneerselvam, who is the son of a former CPI legislator, Mr.N. Guruswamy.

Back in TMC

Mr.A. Namasivayam, who has rejoined the TMC after a short stint in the PMC, will be the party candidate in the Oulgaret constituency, said Mr.V. Balaji, MLA.

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