The sole Independent MLA V. Ramachandran who was elected from Mahe has declared that he would extend issue-based support to the new Congress Government in the Union Territory.
His support is crucial since the single largest party Congress with 15 seats is short of a simple majority on its own in the 14{+t}{+h}Legislative Assembly of Puducherry even though it has a working majority with the two legislators of its ally, the DMK.
The 70-year-old Ramachandran contested as an Independent candidate in the Assembly polls after his friends and well-wishers compelled him to do so. Later Left Democratic Front extended support to his candidature in Mahe.
“I am not a politician like many other candidates in the fray,” said Mr. Ramachandran who has been doing door-to-door service to the critically ill patients in the constituency for several years after he retired from government service in 2008.
Mr. Ramachandran obtained post-graduation on Hindi language and literature and later did doctorate on this subject. He served as a professor in Mahatma Gandhi Government Arts College, Mahe for 36 years.
NSS
As he had been programme officer of National Service Scheme (NSS) for 24 years, he trained several young students in the constituency. He is fondly being called as a professor by residents.
Mr. Ramachandran won by a clear margin of 2,139 votes defeating six-time MLA and former Minister E. Valsaraj. Of the total polled 23,489 votes, Mr. Ramachandran secured 10,797 votes. Mr. Valsaraj got only 8,658 votes.
Asked to explain the secret of his victory, Mr. Ramachandran said he had rejected requests of his friends to contest in polls a few years ago.
However, they were able to convince him to contest in the concluded polls.
“When I started my campaigning, there was little hope for me to win. I reached all households in the Mahe for canvassing. I realised that the people were not happy with the ruling administration and the MLA who was in the post for all those years. People are not satisfied with administration as many of their demands had not been met and promises were not fulfilled. They reflected their anger through votes,” he said.
The newly elected MLA stated that he would bring maximum development in the field of health and education to Mahe.
Mr. Ramachandran categorically said he would not be part of the government. Expressing his wish that the government of UT should be stable, he said, “I am ready to extend issue-based support from outside for the development of Mahe.”
Ramachandran stated that he would bring development in health, education
