Staff Reporter

PUDUCHERRY: V.Pethaperumal, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), who had won five consecutive elections, on Wednesday announced his decision to support Congress candidate V.Narayanasamy in the Lok Sabha election.

Mr.Pethaperumal told reporters that he decided to support the Congress candidate taking into account the larger interest of the Union Territory. Mr.Pethaperumal, who formed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Samooga Neethi Urimai Padhukappu Iyakkam last week, said he would campaign for Mr.Narayanasamy. He did not clarify whether the Congress had approached him.

Assembly election

On whether he would contest the next Assembly election, Mr.Pethaperumal said, “Certainly.” But, he did not specify which party he would join. Mr.Pethaperumal entered the Legislative Assembly on Indian National Congress (O) ticket from Thattanchavady in 1974. He won Assembly elections from the same constituency in 1977, 1980, 1985 and 1990 as candidate of the Janata Party and the Janata Dal.

He lost the 1991, 1996 and 2001 Assembly elections from Thattanchavady to former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, but polled more than 25 per cent of the votes.

Mr. Pethaperumal’s decision to support the Congress candidate assumes significance as he has not been active in politics since losing the 2001 election.

Though the Congress had approached Mr.Rangasamy, who has been disinterested in party affairs after being removed from the post of Chief Minister, he has kept away from the party’s campaign meetings in the last few days.

Congress leaders said that Mr.Pethaperumal’s decision would neutralise any adverse impact on the fortunes of Mr.Narayanasamy if supporters of Mr.Rangasamy revolted against the party candidate.