Cong cries foul as Kiran Bedi swears in 3 BJP MLAs in Puducherry

The tension between Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and chief minister V Narayansamy has taken a new turn after three BJP affiliated persons were sworn in as members of state assembly.

Bedi sworn in V Swaminathan, BJP Puducherry president, KG Shankar, party treasurer, and S Selvaganapthy, educationist considered close to the BJP.

The ruling Congress immediately cried foul and moved the Madras high court alleging that the decision taken bypassing the elected government was illegal. The Madras high court has sought a reply from the state within one week.

Nominations to the assembly are to ensure that minorities, who cannot find representation otherwise can find a place in the assembly and raise the concerns of the community.

In Puducherry, Christians constituting 6% of the population lay claim to this category. DMK, CPM and VCK have called bandh on July 8 to protest against Bedi’s decision. Congress is likely to support it.

Narayansamy alleged that there were criminal cases against two of the three nominated MLAs. “The Lt Governor does not have the authority to swear in the MLAs. This power is wrested in the assembly speaker,” Narayansamy said.

Kiran Bedi, defending her decision, asserted that according to the Union Territories Act ,the oath can be administered by the administrator. Hence the nomination and oath is valid, she said. Political parties called for a Puducherry bandh on July 8 to register their protest against the Lt Governor’s decision.