Puducherry: President's rule likely as BJP, allies won't stake claim
Days after the Congress government collapsed in Puducherry, the Union Territory is all set to get President's rule as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies won't stake claim to power, reports NDTV. Lieutenant-Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has written a letter, likely to be cleared by the Union Cabinet today. Meanwhile, Congress will stage a demonstration against the "murder of democracy." Here's more.
Background: Spate of resignations laid roots for Congress's ouster
On Monday, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy tendered his resignation as the Congress-DMK coalition had fallen short of the majority. To remain in power, any government now needs 14 MLAs in the 26-seated Assembly. His ouster was sparked by six resignations; five MLAs from Congress and one from DMK quit. Two Congress MLAs who resigned have joined BJP and more are expected to follow suit.
Narayanasamy blamed NR Congress and BJP for the mess-up
If Narayanasamy is to be believed, rivals NR Congress and BJP set the stage for the fall of his government. Incidentally, Assembly polls would take place in Puducherry in a few months. He also blamed the former Lieutenant-Governor Kiran Bedi for joining hands with the Opposition. Bedi was removed from the top post last week and Soundararajan became her successor.
NR Congress chief was willing to discuss possibilities with allies
Earlier, N Rangasamy, the chief of NR Congress, had said he would take a decision on staking claim after discussing with allies BJP and AIADMK. "If we get an invitation from Lieutenant-Governor to form government in Puducherry, then we will discuss with AIADMK and BJP and decide on it," he said. NR Congress is the biggest Opposition party in Puducherry.
Congress, allies will participate in demonstration against BJP
As the politics in the Union Territory remains marred in controversies, Narayanasamy and his erstwhile ministerial colleagues would be participating in a demonstration today. Other parties of the Secular Democratic Alliance (SDA) would also participate in the agitation. Congress alleged that BJP threatened MLAs with a probe by central agencies to topple the government and it indulged in the "murder of democracy in Puducherry."
PM Modi will visit Puducherry tomorrow
On a related note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Puducherry tomorrow, February 25. As per a release, he will lay the foundation stone for a medical college in Karaikal town. The estimated cost of this college is Rs. 491 crore. He will also address a BJP rally there. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to visit Puducherry on February 28.
