Launching a no-holds-barred attack on Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi during zero hour in the Assembly, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday gave a call to legislators not to allow Ms. Bedi to enter their constituency if she turns up without informing them.
Mr. Narayanasamy also warned that officers should be ready to “face the consequences” if they accompany the Lt. Governor on her weekend visits without getting the permission of concerned ministers.
Mr. Narayanasamy’s all-out offensive against Ms. Bedi came after Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) member R. Siva, during zero hour, raised the issue of Ms. Bedi’s latest pot shots at the Chief Minister on social media.
Stating that he had decided to break his silence on Ms. Bedi after her conduct had become “unbecoming” of the office she holds, Mr. Narayanasamy said, “She has lowered the dignity of the Lt. Governor’s office by making unsubstantiated charges against the government on social media. She has violated the oath of secrecy,” he said.
Quoting article 240 (1) of the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister said when the administrative control of the President of India had ceased to exist after the Legislative body was created, an appointee (read Lt. Governor) of the President had no powers over and above the Council of Minister’s and elected representatives.
Making it clear that the Lt. Governor “has to work according to the advice of the Council of Ministers, he said at no cost can the rights of an elected government be undermined.
“Don’t allow her to enter your constituency if she comes without informing you,” he told the legislators.
He also reiterated his charge against the Lt. Governor of blocking files related to farm loan write-off, enhancing pensions to the disabled and sanctioning of funds from Special Component Plan.
“Ms. Bedi should try to emulate her counterpart Anil Baijal as Lt Governor of New Delhi. He allows smooth functioning of the administration”, Mr. Narayanasamy said.
As the Chief Minister was making his detailed statement in the Assembly, a majority of legislators in the 30-member House, including those from Opposition ranks, called for bringing a resolution seeking her recall by the Centre. AIADMK MLA A. Anbalagan proposed a boycott of the upcoming Presidential election if the Centre failed to oblige.
Speaker V. Vaithilingan said he would give his consent if the House formally moved a resolution in this regard.
