Pondicherry: The Legislature party leader of the AIADMK in Pondicherry, A. Anbalagan, has staked claim for the post of the leader of the Opposition in the Territorial Assembly.

He submitted a petition to Lt. Governor M. M. Lakhera on Monday seeking his instructions to the Secretary of the Assembly to recognise him as the Leader of the Opposition.

At the party office, Mr. Anbalagan said the DMK, the PMK and the Communist Party of India, had expressed their unconditional support to the Congress in government formation. These parties were thus part of the ruling block andhad submitted letters to the Governor extending outside support.

Under the circumstances any move by the DMK to procure the status of Opposition Leader for its party leader was unjustified and would make a "mockery" of democracy. Mr. Anbalagan alleged that he had information that the DMK was making such a move. How could a party forming part of a ruling block aspire for the status, he asked adding that that the AIADMK and its allies (the Puduchery Munnetra Congress and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) had seven members. Mr. Anbalagan also said that while appointing three nominated legislators to the Assembly, care should be taken that those who were experts in certain fields such as art, science, culture and social service were chosen. There should be no politicisation of the facility. Necessary representation would be made to the President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in this regard, he added. Mr. Anbalagan said his party would function as a responsible Opposition and that the Congress was only forming a minority government here.

The ten-member strong Congress has staked claim to form the government and its legislature party leader N. Rangasamy will assume charge as Chief Minister on May 18.

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