NE NEWS SERVICE
PUDUCHERRY, DEC 26
Reacting to Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind to intervene and recall Lt. General Kiran Bedi from her position, Bedi hit back on Wednesday and asked, “Is opposition to the cabinet move to set up casinos and breweries as “autocractic, illegal and irregular.’’
Kiran Bedi, in social media messages to reporters on Wednesday said differences with the Government on policy matters and referring such disputes to the Union Government could not be termed autocratic, irregular and illegal.
A day after Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy sought the intervention of President Ram Nath Kovind in seeking her withdrawal, Kiran Bedi clarified this to media over social media.
She also questioned “does being sensitive to the social and spiritual fabric’’ were the reasons for recall, she added.
Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy in a memorandum to the President during his recent visit to Puducherry had sought the immediate recalling of Bedi alleging she was “functioning in an autocratic manner and subverting the provisions of the Constitution.”
The Lt. Governor said the Chief Minister was duty bound to explain whether “opening of casinos, breweries and concurring with widespread lottery sale,” was part of his development agenda for the Union Territory.
As per provisions under the Union Territories Act and Business Rules, the Lt. Governor was bound to refer subjects of dispute to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, she added.
