The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : My movement is only to protect party image, says Kannan

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Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

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My movement is only to protect party image, says Kannan

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, MARCH 5. Thousands of volunteers owing allegiance to the suspended AICC member, P. Kannan, today took out a rally seeking the resignation of Pondicherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and jobs for youth without discrimination of the constituencies they hail from.

Mr. Kannan led the rally, which started from near the Swadeshi Cotton Mills on Modeliarpet road and concluded at Bharathi Park.

Addressing a meeting from an improvised platform, he said the rally was the beginning of the people's movement against "corruption, malpractices and anti-people measures of the Rangasamy Government".

He listed the "incidence of corruption" which affected the working of the Public Works Department and the government-owned Civil Supplies Corporation and alleged that those close to the Chief Minister were involved in "smuggling of sandalwood and rectified spirit and illegal sand mining."

Agitation will continue

Mr. Kannan said he was placed under suspension for projecting the malpractices. "I am grateful to the AICC for the step, but I assure that my movement is only to save the image of the Congress and protect the people of Pondicherry. I am a Congressman forever and my agitation will continue until the goal (stepping down of Mr. Rangasamy) is reached."

Plea to Governor

At one stage, a section of the crowd complained that some "miscreants" were throwing stones from behind. He asked his volunteers to keep quiet as the police would take care of law and order. He appealed to Lt. Governor M.M. Lakhera to ensure that the police functioned impartially, offering protection to all sections.

Mr. Kannan said that as soon as he announced his rally plans, the other group (owing allegiance to the Chief Minister) also scheduled to have a procession the same day. This was a clear case of "their intention to disturb law and order." (However, the other group postponed the programme subsequently.)

Mr. Kannan also attacked the Pradesh Congress president, V. Narayanasamy.

The police were deployed in strength on the entire route of the rally. Traffic was diverted.

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