MLA, who had verbal spat with Kiran Bedi, files complaint
What's the story
AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan filed a complaint against Puducherry Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Kiran Bedi alleging his rights as a lawmaker were violated during the verbal spat with her at the function on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2. Anbalagan created a ruckus on stage after organizers requested him to cut his speech short as Bedi had to attend other ceremonies. The incident's video was widely circulated.
What happened
At event, not being listed as speaker miffed Anbalagan
The function was meant to announce the union territory as open-defecation free. The Oupalam MLA was speaking about the lack of garbage bins in his constituency, as a result of which residents dumped garbage in canals. Notably, Anbalagan wasn't listed as a speaker, and had accompanied MP R. Radhakrishnan for the event. He was miffed with his exclusion and spoke about it too.
MLA's behavior
Bedi asked MLA to cut speech short, he ignored her
After Project Director P.T Rudra gave his presentation, Anbalagan got his turn to speak. He slammed officials for excluding him and started to point out flaws in governing Congress. Bedi then directed an official to ask Anbalagan to wrap up his speech, which he didn't. Minutes later, she wrote a note to Anbalagan reiterating her thoughts. He folded the note, kept in his pocket and continued.
Mic off
As he continued speaking, Bedi asked to shut his mic
When Anbalagan continued speaking, Bedi went to him with folded hands telling him to stop as other speakers won't get due time. But he kept speaking, prompting Bedi to direct organizers to shut off his mic. This led to a verbal spat and soon both were seen yelling at each other. Anbalagan asked Bedi to show 'her power' on other elected representatives.
Twitter Post
Bedi tells her side of story in tweet
An MLA’s Mike had to b turned off when he persistently rejected any req from panel of Hble Ministers to limit his speech.
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) October 2, 2018
He rejected all appeals. He shouted back. I hav seen him do this earlier too. Event was to give away awards for good work done in making Puducherry ODF @ANI
Letter
Meanwhile, in letter to speaker Anbalagan revealed his side
In a letter to the speaker, Anbalagan has asked action to be taken under rules of Assembly. Putting his side of the story, he said he was speaking about those whose homes don't have toilets. "It has been over two years since they have requested for toilets to be built but the government has not given them any financial aid," his letter read.
Allegations
L-G wanted to humiliate me, claimed Anbalagan
Further, Anbalagan said using the power of L-G's office to evict him was equal to denying him rights, and added it was an attempt by L-G to humiliate him. "I said I am a representative of the people, why should I leave? I said, if you want, you leave," he wrote. He claimed even attendees were shocked at her behavior.