CM Narayanasamy protest in Delhi demands statehood to Puducherry, Kiran Bedi removal

Puducherry Congress led by chief minister V Narayanasamy on Friday staged a protest demanding full statehood to the Union Territory and removal of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, whom he accused of functioning "unconstitutionally".

Addressing a press conference, Narayanasamy said leaders of 21 political parties also participated in the agitation at the Janatar Mantar and they were joined by people from the UT. He said the Puducherry Assembly has passed 16 resolutions in the past, the latest in September 2018, demanding full statehood but the Centre did not agree to it.

He accused Bedi of violating the oath of secrecy and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take note of this and remove her. He also accused her of not functioning in the interest and development of Puducherry. Bedi was not available for comments.

The chief minister also said that when BJP's Sushma Swaraj was the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha a parliamentary committee headed by her had also recommended full statehood for Puducherry. "Mass agitation at Jantar Mantar #NewDelhi now demanding Statehood for the UT of Puducherry. All our Ministers, MLAs, Special Representative, and National Leaders, all the Leaders of Political parties of Puducherry joined this historic agitation for Puducherry," Narayanasamy tweeted. Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury and CPI's D Raja, DMK's Kanomozhi and others were present during the agitation.

(With inputs from agencies.)