Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee president A. Namassivayam on Saturday said the survival of All India N.R. Congress itself has become doubtful after its founder leader N. Rangasamy “surrendered” the party to a family which owned a chain of educational institutions.
Launching his election campaign for V. Vaithilingam of the Congress from Sederapet, Mr. Namassivayam said the family had “intruded” into the AINRC after it got three seats during 2016 Assembly elections.
Then the party office was shifted to a house owned by the family. Now, a young member (AINRC candidate K. Narayanasamy) from the family had got the ticket for Lok Sabha elections, he said.
“If things continue, in future there will be no role for even Mr. Rangasamy,” said Mr. Namassivayam addressing a largely attended road show.
Hidden agenda
The PCC chief said the Lok Sabha seat was sought by the family with the sole intention of obtaining the Deemed University status for its medical college. The Congress had decided to field a person with proven track record so that issues concerning the Union Territory could be taken up in an effective manner in Parliament, he said. Accusing the AINRC for maintaining complete silence during the last five years, Mr Namassivayam said the Opposition party during the last Lok Sabha polls contested on the poll plank to obtain Statehood. “The party functioned as an ally of the BJP during the last five years. But it never bothered to raise the issue of Statehood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said. Now, again the party was trying to seek votes in the name of Statehood, he added.
Challenging the AINRC for an open debate on the performance of the Congress government in the last two-and-a-half years with Rangasamy’s tenure, the Congress chief said it delivered despite facing obstacles. Mr. Namassivayam would tour all the Assembly constituencies in Puducherry and Karaikal regions before campaigning comes to an end for April 18 polls.
