Conduct civic polls soon in Pondy, urges MNM

MNM state president MAS Subramanian in a statement here said there are three layers — Central government, state government and local bodies.

But, the third layer, local bodies are not there in Puducherry for several years hindering the development of rural areas.

Subramanian said out of compulsion from the court, the Cabinet selected a person as State Election Commissioner (SEC) and sent the file to Lt Governor Kiran Bedi. However, Bedi, in a bid to appoint a person she desired allegedly did not give consent to the file and instead took steps to advertise in Newspaper for appointment of the SEC.

Knowing well that the Speaker is having power than the L-G on this issue, a Special Session of the Assembly was convened, the notification of the Lt Governor was annulled by the Speaker and a SEC was nominated.

He said, in view of this, the government should show the earnest efforts it had taken in nominating the SEC by also holding the local body elections.

This will help to disseminate powers and also ensure entry of several women into politics, he said, adding that further the elected local body representatives will support the government to check the Lt Governor from intruding into the powers of elected government.