In the face of Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi laying down ‘conditions’ for giving assent to the Union Territory’s Appropriations Bill, DMK working president Stalin called for statehood for the UT. For the welfare of the people, Puducherry should be granted statehood, he has said.
The DMK working president reportedly stated that he was shocked to hear that Kiran Bedi had laid down the condition of allowing the three MLAs nominated by her into the Assembly in order to introduce the Appropriations Bill.
Stating that this brought taint upon the conduct of the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry, Stalin said that the Lieutenant Governor and central government competing for short term gains by not allowing the Appropriations Bill disrespects the mandate of the people of Puducherry.
Citing the Supreme Court judgement that rules on the powers of the Lieutenant Governor of the national capital, Stalin recommended statehood for the union territory of Puducherry.
On Saturday, Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi approved the passage of the Appropriation Bill for state expenditure, upon the condition that the three BJP leaders nominated by her to the Assembly be allowed to participate in the House.
A statement issued by Raj Bhavan said, “Honorable Lt Governor accorded approval with a condition that the legislative assembly be reconvened allowing the three nominated MLAs to participate, in compliance with the interim orders of the Honorable Supreme Court."
On Thursday, the Puducherry government passed a unanimous resolution in Assembly demanding statehood. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy pointed out that the grant given to Puducherry by the central government had dropped from 70% to 25% while the Centre continued to extend 42% grant to states.
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy have been at loggerheads with each other over a number of issues, mainly concerning the powers of the former.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy’s parliamentary secretary K Lakshminarayanan had moved the Madras High Court last July seeking to quash the recommendations sent by the Lt Governor to the Union government regarding the appointment of three MLAs to the Union Territory's Assembly.
The Madras High Court had upheld the nomination of three BJP MLAs by the Lt Governor in March. The Puducherry Government went on to appeal against the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court. The apex court, on Thursday, observed that it had expected the government to let the MLAs enter the Assembly and function.