PUDUCHERRY, DEC 25
Stating that Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi is functioning arbitrarily and was seeking to run a parallel government and hindering implementation of welfare schemes of the elected government, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday urged the President to recall he immediately.
Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister said that he had sought
the intervention of President Ram Nath Kovind to immediately recall her, saying she has been “impeding” implementation of welfare scheme and decisions taken at the cabinet meetings.
The Chief Minister said he had presented a detailed memorandum to the President during the latter’s visit to the Union Territory on December 23 to participate in a convocation.
“I have requested the President to intervene and recall Kiran Bedi as Lt Governor,” he said.
He said he had pointed out in the memorandum that Bedi had not contributed anything to the development of Puducherry ever since she became the Lt Governor.
Narayanasamy had also stated that the Lt Governor was functioning “arbitrarily” and was seeking to run a parallel government and the schemes that would see the light of the day were facing hiccups because of hurdles she was placing.
He said he had, therefore, urged the President to intervene and recall Kiran Bedi as Lt Governor of Puducherry immediately.
The Chief Minister said he had also highlighted in the memorandum, various administrative and fiscal issues the government headed by him has been facing for last three years.
He pleaded for grant of Statehood to Puducherry and apprised the President of number of resolutions adopted on the floor of the Assembly since 1987 pushing for it.
The President assured to go into the demands, he added.
Anti-CAA protest rally tomorrow
Criticising the Centre for introducing new citizenship law, the Chief Minister said this legislation and the NRC were “ill-conceived” and were aimed at achieving the goal of “Hindutva” championed by the BJP.
All secular parties would hold a big rally here on Thursday under the leadership of the ruling Congress to protest the CAA and NRC.
Prevention of woman student wearing “hijab’’ for convocation: sought report from VC, DGP
Referring to the incident where a Post Graduate woman candidate wearing a ‘hijab’ was allegedly prevented from attending the annual convocation at Pondicherry University, he said he was preoccupied with the convocation ceremony with President Ram Nath Kovind, the chief guest of the function.
“I was not aware of the sufferings the graduate faced,” he said adding he had however asked the Vice-Chancellor of the University to hold an inquiry into the incident and send him a report.
University and the DGP were asked to submit a detailed report on this, the Chief Minister said.
