Kiran Bedi interferes with govt functioning: Puducherry CM

New Delhi/Puducherry, May 7 (IANS) Asserting that he does not enjoy a cordial relation with Kiran Bedi, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Naraynsamy has said the Lt. Governor interferes in the functioning of his governing everyday.

“Even during the Coronavirus crisis she has not stopped her illegal and unconstitutional activities and her interference in the government functioning is going on everyday. I wrote a letter to the Central government, but she is crossing Laxman Rekha day in and day out,” Narayansami said in an interview with IANS.

The differences between the two also reached the High Court, the Chief Minister said. “The Division Bench of the High Court of Chennai gave a ruling that the elected government is responsible to run the administration, the Lt. Governor has no independent power,” he said.

Narayansami has also accused Bedi of ignoring the Court judgement. “The Lt. Governor is acting in an unconstitutional and illegal manner for which we are taking further legal course,” the senior Congress leader said.

The Chief Minister said that the demand for Puducherry’s statehood has been pending with the Central Government and “we have got all the qualifications to become state. But, unfortunately the Centre has not taken any decision so far”.

While toeing the line of his party, the Chief Minister alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the lockdown without consulting the states and thereafter, the states were consulted for the second lockdown but in the third lockdown, states were not taken into confidence.

“But due consultation is required by the Central Government especially the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers in a federal structure that is lacking in the Central Government,” he said.

–IANS

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