All India Congress Committee in-charge for Puducherry Girish Chodankar on Saturday said that the party was ready to take back Congressmen who have left the party and also to work closely with Independent legislators.

Interacting with reporters after attending the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting of the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Mr. Chodankar said the PAC discussed various ways to strengthen party organisation in Puducherry.

“We discussed the road ahead and ways to strengthen the party. As part of the plan, we have decided to induct more members, especially youngsters. We have also decided to appeal to all former Congressmen who have left the party and are not happy elsewhere to return. Also, we are ready to work with Independent legislators,” Mr. Chodankar said. 

The Congress leader said the party was ready to work closely with MLA and founder of Neyam Makkal Kazhagam Nehru alias Kuppusamy. “The party wanted to chart a new beginning by reorganising Congress in Puducherry,” he added.

The AICC has directed the disciplinary committee of the PPCC to be stern with members who are indulging in anti-party activities. However, when asked about the six candidates who contested against alliance partners in the Assembly polls, Mr. Chodankar said there would be no action against the candidates as the party authorisation forms were issued to them by the leadership.

Asked about the party’s alliance with the TVK in Puducherry, he said the PAC discussed the issue and it has been left to the PPCC. “The AICC decided to extend support to the TVK government after the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee approached the Congress leadership. As far as Puducherry was concerned, there has been no request either from the PPCC or the TVK,” he said.

On the question of extending support to the TVK for Thattanchavady by-election, the AICC in-charge said the decision has been left to the PPCC. When asked about the resignation submitted by Member of Parliament V. Vaithilingam as PPCC chief, Mr. Chodankar said the AICC leadership was yet to take a call on his resignation.

Heated exchanges

Meanwhile, a meeting of the PPCC held on Friday evening witnessed heated exchanges between supporters of Mr. Vaithilingam and party functionaries. The meeting attended by Mr. Chodankar ended abruptly as party workers entered into arguments on various issues. Senior leaders intervened to prevent workers from assaulting each other, said a PPCC leader.