AIADMK asks President to intervene

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry unit of the AIADMK has written a letter to President Pratibha Patil, seeking her intervention to dismiss Education Minister Kalayanasundaram from the post, over the charges against the minister.In a letter, the party’s Puducherry unit leader and MLA A Anbazhagan urged the President, who is the appointing authority for the ministers to the UT government, to immediately dismiss Kalayanasundaram, without waiting for the recommendations of the Chief Minister.“The government of TN has registered a case under sections 465, 466, 468, 471, 473, 419, 420, 120 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and an FIR has also been filed. This means that Kalyanasundaram could be arrested at any time by the TN police,” Anbazhagan said. Citing the six criminal cases pending against Kalyanasundaram, he, “We are of the firm view that Chief Minister N Rangasamy is keeping quiet over the issue.”As per section 45 (1) of the government of Union Territories Act 1963, the ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the CM, the AIADMK legislator said.  “As the President is the appointing authority for the Ministers in the UT, it is for the Home Ministry to recommend to the President the immediate dismissal.” He said that the summary dismissal of Kalyanasundaram was necessary to maintain the dignity and decorum of the council of ministers. The AIADMK leader told reporters that copies of the letter have been sent to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and the Puducherry Lt Governor. He also warned that the party would stage agitations if no action was taken against the minister.