Cabinet Recommends Prez Rule In Pudducherry

The Union Cabinet recommended President’s Rule in Puducherry, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday, days after the resignation of V Narayanasamy from his chief ministerial post.

Addressing a press conference after a cabinet briefing, the minister said nobody staked a claim to form the government.

“As some ruling party MLAs left the government, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy resigned. Nobody has staked claim to form the government. Citing Article 239 read with Section 51 of UT Act, Lt Governor has proposed the Assembly suspension,” Javadekar said.

“Today, the Cabinet gave approval to this suspension, now after President’s approval, Puducherry Assembly will be dissolved. Necessary steps will be taken to administer Puducherry. Model code of conduct will start in a few days and there will be elections thereafter,” he added.

Earlier on February 23, President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the resignation of Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his council of ministers.

The resignations were submitted after the Narayanaswamy-led Congress government lost the floor test held in Puducherry Assembly on Monday.

Narayanasamy had resigned on February 22 ahead of a floor test after his government lost majority in the 33-member House following the resignations of five Congress and one Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) legislators in recent weeks.

Assembly Speaker VP Sivakolundhu announced that the Chief Minister has failed to prove his majority and adjourned the house sine die.

The Union Territory is going to Assembly polls later this year. The dates are yet to be announced. (ANI)