Puducherry CM urges President to recall “autocratic” Lt. Governor

“Kiran Bedi has been misusing her official position and subverting the provisions of Constitution of India”

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy at a function. File

Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has urged President Ram Nath Kovind to recall Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi for “functioning in an autocratic manner” and “subverting the provisions of Constitution of India”.

In a memorandum submitted to the President during his two-day visit here, Mr. Narayanasamy pointed out that there are 28 Governors and three Lieutenant Governors (for the Union Territories with Legislative Assembly) in the country. “But she has been misusing her official position and subverting the provisions of Constitution of India against the oath taken by her during assumption of office.,” the memorandum said.

Though the Madras High Court had given a clear verdict that the Lieutenant Governor has no separate powers and should act only on the ‘aid and advice’ of the Council of Ministers, Ms. Bedi was interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the government beyond her powers and thereby violating the order of the High Court, Mr. Narayanasamy said.

The memorandum also stated that Ms. Bedi was always taking independent decisions, ignoring the elected government, against the will of the people of Puducherry and thereby acting against the people of Puducherry.

Also, the Lt. Governor was not allowing development in Puducherry and was over-turning the decisions of Chief Minister and Ministers, trying to run a parallel government, which was against the Constitution and Rules.

“Many Cabinet decisions of Government of Puducherry have been accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs which shows that the Lt. Governor has lost the confidence of Ministry of Home Affairs,” the memorandum said. Ms. Bedi has also not delegated the financial powers as directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and thereby violated the directions of Ministry of Home Affairs, it charged.

“Therefore, the President may kindly take appropriate action against and recall the Lt. Governor for her violations of Constitution of India, Union Territories Act and Rules of Business of Government of Puducherry,” the Chief Minister said in his memorandum.