DMK member sworn in as MLA in Pondy

A DMK member, who won the recently held by-poll to Thattanchavady constituency, was sworn in as a member of the Puducherry assembly, at a function here Wednesday. Officiating Speaker V P Sivakolundhu administered the oath of office to K Venkatesan.

Among those who witnessed the ceremony included the AICC Secretary Sanjay Dutt, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, leaders of the Congress, the DMK and other alliance parties. Venkatesan defeated the AINRC candidate P Neduncheziane in the by-poll.

The by-election was necessitated after the sitting MLA Ashok Anand (AINRC) was disqualified following his conviction by a local CBI court in the disproportionate assets case in October last year.