Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Puducherry today amid the going political rift in the union territory. Even before Rahul Gandhi reaches there, his party has suffered a major setback. MLA A John Kumar, considered close to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, has resigned.
A John was elected MLA from Kamaraj Nagar seat in the 2019 by-election. After John's resignation, a constitutional crisis has arisen in Puducherry as the Congress coalition government in the state is now in a minority.
After the resignation of four MLAs, the strength of the Congress in the 33-member Assembly has been reduced to 10, including the Speaker. The opposition has 14 MLAs, that is, the number of MLAs of the government and opposition has now become equal.
Opposition asked for CM's resignation
The opposition demanded Chief Minister V Narayanasamy's resignation citing that the government is in a minority. However, Narayanasamy rejected the opposition's demand, claiming that his government had a 'majority' in the House. It is noteworthy that elections are going to be held for Puducherry Assembly in the next few months.
Kiran Bedi removed from Lt. Governor of Puducherry
Amid the ongoing political slugfest in Puducherry, Dr. Kiran Bedi was on Tuesday removed as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory (UT). Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana, has now been given additional charge as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
Kiran Bedi is an Indian politician, retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a social activist who took over as Puducherry LG on May 29, 2016. She is also India's first female IPS officer and started her service in 1972.