Puducherry power struggle: CM Narayansamy accuses LG Kiran Bedi of self-promotion

This war of words comes amidst an ongoing power struggle between the centre appointed leader and people elected Congress Government in the UT.
Puducherry power struggle: CM Narayansamy accuses LG Kiran Bedi of self-promotion
Puducherry power struggle: CM Narayansamy accuses LG Kiran Bedi of self-promotion
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A day after the CBI conducted a surprise check at the office of the Centralised Admission Committee (Centac)  based on Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi'a request, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayansamy has launched a scathing attack. Addressing media in the Union Territory on Wednesday, the CM said LG Kiran Bedi was overstepping the powers she held.

This war of words comes amidst an ongoing power struggle between the Centre appointed leader and the people elected Congress Government in Puducherry. Recently, Narayanasamy shot off a letter to the Centre stating that it is the elected government that is vested with administrative powers to govern the Union Territory as per the Constitution. 

This was after the Home Ministry claimed that the LG has full powers to call for papers of any particular department and that the position of the LG in a UT is wider in its scope and powers as compared to the position of a governor in a full-fledged state.

"There is a difference between Government machinery in Delhi and Puducherry," said Narayanswamy. "The Lieutenant Governor's actions are all for self promotion," he accused. The Chief Minister further emphasised that it is the elected Government that holds real powers of administration.

In the past, Narayanaswamy has taken a strong exception to Bedi making field visits, meeting officials at the Raj Nivas and sending communications through social media.

He has reportedly stated that the LG had no powers to take any decision arbitrarily, even demanding that she should act after consulting with the government. 

Bedi, who assumed office in May last year, however, has been asserting that being the LG of the Union Territory, she had the powers over administrative matters.

The LG has alleged contempt by Colleges and Centac, who have reportedly violated Court directions of ensuring and admitting students from the Union territory for seats which belonged to Puducherry candidates. 

She had requested the CBI to investigate complaints of 'fraud, deceit, cheating and breach of trust' committed by commercial medical colleges in Puducherry.

 

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