The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : Chandirakasu opposes move to dismantle Neduncadu constituency

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Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004

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Chandirakasu opposes move to dismantle Neduncadu constituency

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, SEPT. 6. The Pondicherry Welfare and Industries Minister, M. Chandirakasu, has protested the reported move to dismantle the Neduncadu (reserved) constituency in Karaikal and redraw its territorial limits by merging some pockets with neighbouring Tirunallar and Cottuchery constituencies.

Mr. Chandirakasu said he had told the five-member panel of associate members (all MLAs) of the Delimitation Commission that Neduncadu, which he represents, should remain a reserved constituency.

Development implementation of welfare programmes in the constituency would be set back should it disappear from the list of the Assembly segments, he said.

The PCC president, V. Narayanasamy, had also taken up the plea to retain the constituency with the President, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

False propaganda

Mr. Chandirakasu appealed to the people not to be carried away by the false propaganda by some sections in the garb of `all parties forum' in Neduncadu.

Fast

Activists of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, led by the party legislator, V.A. Annibal Kennedy, observed a dawn-to-dusk fast at the Mahatma Gandhi-Lal Bahadhur Sastri road junction to protest against the move to delete the Bussy Assembly constituency (that Kennedy represents now).

The Commission has proposed to reduce the number of constituencies in Karaikal from the present six to five segments and in Mahe from two to one. The lone Yanam segment would continue to remain intact.

Among those who addressed the fasting members included the convener of the DMK and Leader of the Opposition, R.V. Janakiraman.

The legislators, V. Vaithilingam, N. Gangadharan and R. Nalamaharajan (all Congress) S.P. Sivakumar (DMK) and A.M. Krishnamoorthy (Bharatiya Janata Party) along with the Pattali Makkal Katchi Parliamentary party leader, M. Ramadass, would have a discussion with the Chairman and other officers of the Commission in Delhi on September 8.

The State Election Commissioner, R. Narayana, would also participate in the deliberations.

They would impress upon the Commission the need to have reserved constituencies in urban pockets within the limits of Pondicherry and Oulgaret municipalities -- which are also taluks here -- instead of containing all the reserved segments in a taluk as had been reportedly planned by the Commission.

The Commission has in the process of its proposal to create 23 Assembly constituencies (two segments more than the present strength) has decided to merge some of traditionally key constituencies with neighbouring pockets. Bussy, Cassicadai, Kuruvinatham and Oulgaret constituencies would thus disappear in the redrawing of the territorial limits of the constituencies.

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Chandirakasu opposes move to dismantle Neduncadu constituency