The Puducherry Assembly on Monday passed a resolution, seeking full statehood. Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy briefed the media about the resolution adopted by the assembly in this regard.
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This comes after the Chief Minister expressed apprehensions that the current central government plans to "dismantle" Puducherry's separate status. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is turning his eyes towards Puducherry and would dismantle the separate status of Puducherry and merge it with neighbouring states," the Chief Minister had said in December 2020.
The move also assumes significance as Puducherry goes to polls in April-May this year. The term of the 30-member Puducherry Assembly is to end in early June.
The Congress and DMK contested the 2016 assembly elections in an alliance. The Congress won 15 seats while the DMK emerged victorious in only two seats. However, recent reports suggest trouble is brewing in the Congress-DMK alliance ahead of the polls.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Narayanasamy, last week, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at their offices in New Delhi. As per reports, it is being suggested that the meeting with the Prime Minister and Home Minister was “cordial”. Demand seeking statehood for the Union Territory was high on CM's agenda during that meeting.
It is to be understood that this is not the first time Puducherry has demanded statehood. Nine resolutions for the full statehood has been adopted by the assembly since 1987.
In July 2018 as well Puducherry Legislative Assembly had passed a similar resolution. Home Ministry even then rejected the proposal and asked to continue with the already existing arrangement.