Narayanasamy resigns, Congress loses its only govt in south

The Congress government in the Union Territory of Puducherry fell on Monday after the motion of confidence moved by Chief Minister V, Narayanasamy on the floor of the Assembly was defeated. Soon after, Narayanasamy headed to Raj Nivas to meet the Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and submitted him the resignation letter.

With this setback, the Congress lost its only government in south India. The crisis political comes months ahead of the election in the Union Territory.

After a series of resignations from Congress, the ruling government was reduced to the strength of 12 against the Opposition’s 14.

Ahead of the floor test, CM Narayanasamy said that the Opposition camp tried all the tricks under their sleeves to destabilise the people elected government. “We formed the government with the support of DMK and other independent MLAs. We faced three elections and won in all of them. People trusted us. This is a government elected by the people of Puducherry. The Opposition who were unable to defeat in the election are now trying to topple the government,” Narayansamy said.

Calling the MLAs who resigned as opportunists, Narayanasamy said they will never be able to meet the public with a straight face. He also spoke at length about the various welfare measures that his government provided for, despite the hindrance from former lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi and the Central Government. He alleged that the centre neglected the union territory by not disbursing enough funds.

Before leaving the Assembly, Narayanasamy said what is happening in the Puducherry is nothing but “political prostitution” by the BJP. Addressing the reporters after tendering his resignation, he said that the people of Puducherry will teach a lesson for the opposition camp in the upcoming elections.

Soon after Narayanasamy resigned, both the BJP and Congress traded charges and expressed confidence of forming a government in Assembly polls likely to be held in April-May this year.

Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is in charge of Puducherry, said the developments in Puducherry were “murder of democracy” and said the party will go to the people. “BJP has used unethical and anti-democratic means. It does not have support. They do not get votes in Puducherry. They are using the Income Tax department, ED CBI to topple the government,” he alleged. Rao also accused BJP of “threatening MLAs” and said people of the union territory “know everything”.

“There is huge dissent and people will give a reply in the assembly elections. We are very confident and upbeat. We will go to the people and will win the elections. We have an alliance,” he said.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who is BJP in charge of Puducherry, rejected allegations of Narayanasamy about toppling his government and expressed confidence of forming government in April-May. BJP leaders claimed there are many people from Congress and other parties willing to join the party and it will form a government after assembly elections.

Karnataka is the only southern state being ruled by BJP and the party leaders are keen that they are able to form a government in the southern Union Territory.

WITH AGENCY INPUTS