Date:26/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/26/stories/2008082650040100.htm

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CLP meeting leaves it to Sonia Gandhi

Rajesh B. Nair

PUDUCHERRY: The Congress Legislature Party meeting held here on Monday unanimously passed a resolution authorising Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take an appropriate decision to end the dissidence in the Congress government in the Union Territory.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vayalar Ravi, who led a team of Central observers, told reporters that they had listened to the views of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, his Cabinet colleagues and party MLAs on various issues.

Mr. Ravi said they also had separate meetings with three Independent MLAs supporting the government to elicit their views.

“At the end of the meeting, a one-line resolution was passed unanimously authorising the Congress president to take an appropriate decision. We would submit the report in a day or two,” he said.

Mr. Ravi said the resolution was moved by the Chief Minister and they had a “very cordial and fruitful discussion.”

On the need to convene the CLP, he said, “As far as the Congress party was concerned, all issues are sorted out in the Legislature Party meeting without any delay.” To a query on the fate of the Congress government in the Union Territory, he said “it is stable for the present.”