Setback for Kiran Bedi, Madras High Court curbs Lieutenant Governor's powers

The Congress government and Kiran Bedi are at loggerheads over various issues since she assumed charge as lieutenant-governor.

FILE PIC: Kiran Bedi (Twitter account)

Chennai: In a major setback for Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi,  the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday struck down the Union Home Ministry's clarification order giving her administrative power. Deciding on the case filed by Puducherry Congress legislator K. Lakshminarayanan against Bedi, the High Court said the Lt. Governor has no power to interfere in the day-to-day activities of the government. The court said that "Bedi does not have to power to call for files and give orders to the officials". "The court said the administrative and financial powers are with the elected government and the Lt.Governor has to act as per the advice of the council of Ministers," Lakshminarayanan told news agency IANS. He said the court said it is only the elected government that has the power.

Visited puducherry CM @VNarayanasami to express solidarity wid the people of Puducherry. @VNarayanasami is fighting against dictatorship of Puducherry’s LG. UT status to Del n Puducherry is an injustice to their people. We will fight together for full statehood. pic.twitter.com/AfK0fKmfdZ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 18, 2019

Lakshminarayanan said the court struck down the clarifications issued by Union Home Ministry in 2017 on the powers of the Lt. Governor, reported IANS. The Congress government and Bedi were at loggerheads over various issues since she assumed charge as lieutenant-governor. In February, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his Deputy Manish Sisodia joined Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy who was on a sit-in along with his ministerial colleagues and MLAs of the ruling Congress and its ally DMK accusing Bedi of adopting a “negative stand” towards the proposals, including a free rice scheme, awaiting her approval. "Visited puducherry CM @VNarayanasami to express solidarity wid the people of Puducherry. @VNarayanasami is fighting against dictatorship of Puducherry’s LG. UT status to Del n Puducherry is an injustice to their people. We will fight together for full statehood," Kejriwal had then tweeted. Last October, Bedi and AIADMK MLA Anbhazhagan were involved in a public spat in full media glare. The spat erupted after the LG asked the microphone to be switched off when the legislator was speaking.

#Puducherry Lt Governor #kiranbedi engaging in a public spat with #AIADMK MLA Anbhazhagan at an event in the UT on Tuesday. The spat began after the LG asked the microphone to be switched off when the legislator was speaking. #politics | @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/p7olLa1HYV

— Sivapriyan E.T.B. (@sivaetb) October 2, 2018

Bedi last hit headlines for trying to make helmet wearing mandatory in the Union Territory. She was seen on the roads asking errant bikers why they weren't wearing helmets. She let off many by giving them a warning.

When there’s no culture of wearing a helmet in Puducherry and its CM keeps stalling enforcement & every 3rd day there’s a fatal accident, due to non wearing of a helmet,where does one begin?Giveup or take it in one’s own hands as well,alongside challenging enforcement agencies? pic.twitter.com/VQAUbYgUdU

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) February 10, 2019

While the police officer-turned-activist-turned-politician wanted the helmet rule for two-wheeler riders to be implemented at one go, Narayanasamy expected it to be implemented after generating awareness among riders.