L-G running parallel govt, Pondy CM writes to Home Minister

In his letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief Minister alleged that Bedi “had been running a parallel day-to-day administration totally blocking welfare schemes meant for SCs, BCs, fishermen and other downtrodden people.”

Bedi neither cared for the decisions of the cabinet nor cared to follow the rule of law, he alleged.

Narayanasamy also charged the Lt Governor with “adopting a high handed, arm twisting and autocratic style of governance” in Puducherry.

He apprised the Home Minister of the letters he had written to Bedi, asking her to follow “the Constitutional provisions, democratic norms and statutory laws and to respect elected institutions of governance.”

The Chief Minister also alleged in the letter that the Lt Governor had stopped implementation of ‘free rice scheme’ and extending of scholarship to SC students for professional education even after cabinet approval.

Listing the reasons for the agitation, he said the entire cabinet of Puducherry has resorted to a peaceful assembly in front of the Raj Nivas because of the “adamant attitude” of the Lt Governor towards democratic laws and also the “continuous misery” inflicted on the people of the Union Territory.

Noting that Bedi had left for New Delhi on February 14, he said it was totally for “very trivial reasons” and for “self promotion”.

The Chief Minister informed the Home Minister that the dharna in front of Raj Nivas would continue round the clock until their demands were met.

Seeking the President’s intervention in the matter, Narayanasamy said he should advise Bedi to function in a “democratic” way and address people’s issues.

Meanwhile, he urged supporters to ensure that law and order is not disrupted.

He also said as part of widening the agitation, stirs would be held at constituency level from Saturday. Functionaries of different wings of the ruling Congress and the DMK have also joined the protest.

“We have selected 12 centres spread across 23 Assembly segments in Puducherry where the leaders and MLAs along with workers of parties belonging to the secular front would hold agitations in a peaceful manner,” Narayanasamy said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday expressed concern over his Puducherry counterpart V Narayanasamy being “forced” to sleep on the road outside the Raj Nivas here, in protest against the “negative stand” of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi towards the government proposals.

Kejriwal tweeted that “an elected Chief Minister (Narayanasamy) is being forced to sleep on the road since last three nights.” “What kind of democracy is this? Those elected by the voters are begging in front of those defeated,” he said, and asked: “why is vote of those living in Delhi and Puducherry inferior to other States?.”

Meanwhile, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi in her twitter message said: “it is condemnable that the Lt Gvoernor Kiran Bedi is functioning in such a manner as to disrespect the elected government and to disrupt the working of the administration.”

Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Saturday said she is willing to discuss all issues in an ‘Open Public Forum’ with the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues on February 21.

In an open letter to the public sent through WhatsApp, Bedi said such an forum can then inform the public and others who raise finance-related issues on how carefully they worked to save money for the poor. Even the issue of road safety could be discussed, she added.

Bedi detailed how the Raj Nivas  tried to work for the betterment of  Puducherry, to make it cleaner, safer, greener, healthier  and water rich for agriculture and drinking water in the last two-and-a-half years.

She said diversion of funds were prevented  and after a long  time, staff in Tourism Development Corporation  have received  over Rs 1 crore  towards their provident fund because of the  proper financial administration.

“We are bound by grant in aid financial rules which were  being violated  all along and now it was stopped. It is this which has disturbed the  Chief Minister the most,” Bedi added.

Bedi said that the details of the good work on their part were not known to the public, since, she was not holding weekend press conferences. 

This could be made public  in case need arises, she said, adding that she is ready to discuss all issues in the open house. She also apologised to the people for the inconveniences  caused due to the road block around the Raj Nivas and  beating of drums  late into the night with a mourning tune.