Ex-Minister Angalane resigns as MLA in Puducherry

Puducherry: Days after quitting the rulingAINRC and joining the Congress, former minister P Angalanetoday resigned from membership of the union territoryassembly, which is set to go for elections on May 16. Angalane submitted his resignation letter to AssemblySpeaker V Sabapathy at the latter's chamber here. He later told that he resigned as MLA since he hadjoined the Congress, his parent party. Angalane had resigned from AINRC on March 14 protesting"continued neglect" of his Thirubhuvanai (Reserved)constituency, from where he had been elected consecutivelysince 2001, 2006 and 2011, and later joined Congress. He had accused Chief Minister N Rangasamy of neglecting hisconstituency. While in 2001 and 2006 he was elected on Congress ticket,he joined the AINRC, floated by Rangasamy after breaking awayfrom Congress a few months ahead of the polls in 2011, andretained the seat. Angalane was Welfare Minister in the Congress ministryheaded then by Rangasamy in 2001. With his resignation, the strength of the AINRC in the30-member Assembly has come down to 14 from 15. Party wise breakup in the Assembly now is: AINRC 14(including Speaker), independent (one), who is supporting thegovernment from outside, Congress (seven), AIADMK (five) andDMK (two). Besides there are three nominated members.