As Puducherry is set to go for polls later this year, the current political developments in the Union Territory (UT) has surprised many. After the sacking of Kiran Bedi as Lieutenant Governor by President Ram Nath Kovind, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has come with allegations against Bedi.
“We wanted Bedi removed for interfering in day-to-day activities of the administrations and her unconstitutional behaviour. She was not following rules and procedures. We launched several agitations against her,” Narayanasamy told a national news agency. He accused Bedi of blocking welfare schemes in the UT.
Narayansamy said the Centre removed Bedi due to pressure from Congress. “Due to pressure from us, the Government of India removed Bedi. This is a victory for the people of Puducherry. She blocked many welfare schemes,” he said, adding that the people of Puducherry would teach BJP a lesson in the upcoming Puducherry Assembly elections.
Despite Narayanasamy’s claims that Bedi blocked many welfare schemes, Bedi said that during her tenure, her team worked to serve the larger public interest in the Union Territory.
“I thank the Government of India for a lifetime experience in serving Puducherry as its Lieutenant Governor. I also thank all who worked with me closely. I can say with a deep sense of satisfaction that during my tenure ‘Team Raj Nivas’ diligently worked to serve the larger public interest,” Bedi said in an open letter on Wednesday.
Bedi went on to add that “whatever was done was a sacred duty, fulfilling my constitutional and moral responsibility”. In her letter, Bedi wished Puducherry a bright future and said it is now in the hands of the people.
Bedi’s ouster came hours after the resignation of Congress legislatures in Puducherry. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan will take charge as LG of Puducherry, in addition to her existing duties until a new appointment is made.
Meanwhile, Puducherry Social Welfare Minister M Kandaswamy said that cabinet headed by Chief Minister Narayansamy will resign following the resignation of Congress legislatures. Kandaswamy blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bedi for harassing the Puducherry government.
“PM Modi and LG Bedi have been harassing the Congress government for four-and-a-half-years. They are trying to dissolve the government. We are working to dissolve the cabinet and win the Assembly elections,” Kandaswamy said.
With Rahul Gandhi in Puducherry ahead of the Assembly elections, the Congress party would be aiming to return to power in Puducherry.
