After much confusion and delay, AICC general secretary V Narayanasamy has been announced as the Chief Minister of Puducherry on Saturday.
Earlier, when Narayanasamy indicated his interest to become the chief minister, the party was divided over the issue. However, he had the support of at least 10 of the 15 Congress MLAs in the state, say sources.
Puducherry Congress chief A Namachivayam and former CM V Vaithilingam were also reportedly in the race for the chief minister’s post.
Sources in Puducherry said that Vaithilingam, who had served as chief minister twice was seen as a potential frontrunner, but subsequently dropped out of the race. Namachivayam belongs to the Vanniyar caste, which is a dominant caste in Puducherry.
Both V Narayansamy and A Namachivayam had met party president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday to discuss this matter.
On Saturday, AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan said that if a decision was not taken in a few days, then the newly appointed Lt Governor Kiran Bedi should take action against the majority party.