Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his ministerial Lawmakers continued their dharna outside the Raj Nivas for the second day on Thursday protesting Lt Governor Kiran Bedi‘s “negative stand” towards his government’ proposals awaiting her approval.

Narayanasamy, his ministers and party MLAs had on Wednesday night slept on a pavement close to the Raj Nivas wearing black shirts in Protest. They have been demanding that the Lt Governor accord sanction to 39 government proposals, including a free rice scheme.

Functionaries of different wings of the ruling Congress and the DMK have also joined the protest. Reportedly, DMK Chief MK Stalin spoke to Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and expressed his support towards him.

CM said, ‘I thank MK Stalin who extended his support. We are getting support not only from Tamil Nadu but all over the country. We have 39 issues out of which helmet issue is one of them, all these issues have been created by Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi’

Bedi left for New Delhi early on Thursday morning under tight security of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Bedi while talking to Media said, ‘He (CM) wrote me a letter on 7th Feb on 36 issues some of which don’t exist or have been settled. I received it on 8th. Y’day he sits on a dharna saying he demands a reply. The letter didn’t say that ‘if you don’t reply by 13th Feb, I’ll sit on a dharna’

She added, ‘I wrote him (Puducherry CM) a letter that ‘you are welcome to come & see me on 21st Feb at 10 am, as I’m on a tour till 20th starting today. I’ll return on Feb 20 midnight. And tell me what could be more right.’He is still sitting there. He isn’t allowing ppl to wear a helmet’

Meanwhile, CM while asserting that their protest would continue till the government proposals were cleared, said, “Even if it is not possible to immediately concede all the 39 pleas, the Lt Governor can give her nod to some of the important schemes including the free rice scheme and grants.”

“When people’s representatives are holding agitation in support of their charter of 39 demands since Wednesday seeking approval of Lt Governor, it is amusing indeed that Bedi had left for Chennai enroute Delhi,” PWD Minister A Namassivayam told PTI.

“This shows that she does not respect the popular government. This is the height of her vanity.”

He added, ‘She (Kiran Bedi) has no power at all, she has to only be a post office & sign papers which have been sent by a council of ministers, she has no right to touch cabinet decisions, she is vetoing decisions. She is being encouraged by PM to create problems for our govt.

On the helmet rule, Namassivayam said the government had asked the police not to be very stern against those not using helmets while driving two wheelers as awareness needs to be raised at least for a month before making the wearing of helmets compulsory.

He, however, clarified that they were not against the helmet rule as the Supreme court’s directive to implement the rule should be complied with by all.

Meanwhile, barricades were erected around the Lt Governor’s office to keep agitators at bay as a section of volunteers of different political parties raised slogans against the deployment of the RAF around Raj Nivas and at various vantage points.

Chief Minister Narayanasamy had led an agitation in front of the Parliament on January 4, demanding that the Centre sanction statehood for Puducherry and replace Kiran Bedi as the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor and the government headed by Narayanasamy had been at loggerheads over various issues ever since Bedi assumed office in May 2016.

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By talharashid

Part-time Traveler| Full-time Political Enthusiast | Foodie | Strong Believer of Freedom of Speech and Expressions!

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