Puducherry: The Congress lost its lone government in south India with the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance in Puducherry losing the trust vote, leading to the resignation of Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Feb 22.
In a day of fast-paced and dramatic developments, the Congress-led government collapsed before facing the floor test in the state Assembly.
After the dramatic walkout by Narayanasamy and his MLAs, Speaker V P Sivakozhundu announced that the Congress government had lost its majority.
Narayanasamy drove straight to Raj Nivas to submit his resignation to Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.
Speaking in the Assembly, Narayanasamy maintained that the opposition does not have adequate numbers. He argued that the three nominated MLAs, all belonging to the BJP, have no power to cast their votes in a floor test. He had reportedly pinned his hopes on the Speaker not allowing the nominated MLAs to cast their votes.
With this the Congress lost its only government in the south. As the Assembly polls in the Union Territory are slated in May this year, it remains to be seen if the Lieutenant Governor recommends President’s rule or invites NR Congress-led opposition alliance to form the government.
Addressing the Assembly ahead of the floor test, Narayanasamy alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is derailing India’s democratic system.
“What is happening in Puducherry now is political prostitution. But the truth will prevail,” he added.
He alleged that former Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and the Centre colluded with the opposition to destabilize his government.
Narayanasamy, whose government was reduced to a minority due to the resignation of six MLAs of the ruling alliance during the last one month, said the MLAs who resigned would not be able to face the people as people would call them ‘opportunists’.
