Amid a political crisis that is brewing in Puducherry, V Narayanasamy-led government will have to prove its majority in the Assembly floor on 22 February.
Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan issued a notice on Thurday, 18 February, after the leader of the opposition N Rangasamy along with 13 MLAs had submitted a letter on Wednesday, 17 February, stating that “the present government has lost its majority consequent to the resignation of four legislators...in addition to the disqualification of one member”.
As per a press release issued by the L-G’s office, the letter further averred that “the present government has been reduced to a minority and has lost its legitimacy to continue” .
The Assembly is now 28 members strong with the Congress-DMK alliance having 14 members, one short of the majority mark of 15. The opposition too is at 14. The total strength of the House is 33. This includes three nominated MLAs of the BJP.
‘BJP Bringing Down a Democratically Elected Government’
Addressing the media later on Thursday, CM V Narayanasamy accused the BJP of conspiring to bring down a democratically elected government and said that talks with party leaders and MLAs are underway.
“Today I held a meeting with MLAs and discussed the floor test. No decision has been taken in today's meet. We will hold a meeting again on 21 February. We are also consulting with our alliance partner DMK,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
“The BJP is behind all these things. They are all out to bring down a democratically elected government. This is an attempt to bury democracy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Puducherry BJP President V Saminathan demanded that Chief Minister V Narayanasamy tender his resignation.
“Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has lost majority and his claim of having majority is false. His government will fall on 22 February. All 14 Opposition MLAs are united.”V Saminathan, Puducherry BJP President
Narayanasamy also met the Lieutenant Governor on Thursday.
The session of the legislative Assembly will be called on 22 February and the only agenda of the day is to put to vote and find out if the incumbent Chief Minister continues to enjoy the confidence of the house.
Congress Hopeful of Winning Majority
Even though it has lost its majority in the House, the Congress remained hopeful.
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly MNR Balan said that they are ready to prove majority on the floor of the House. Government whip RKR Anantharaman too had said there are members in the opposition who do not want the government to be toppled and will support the government on the floor of the House.
Dr Kiran Bedi, on Tuesday, 16 February night, was removed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has been given additional charge as the L-G of the Union Territory.
The 2021 Assembly election in Puducherry is scheduled for May.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)