Nomination, oath of Puducherry MLAs as per law: Kiran Bedi

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on Saturday said that the three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were nominated and administered oath as per the law.

Talking to ANI, Bedi held Chief Minister V Narayanasamy responsible for launching a misleading campaign over it.

Normal life was affected on Saturday due to a bandh (strike) called by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi to oppose the nomination and oath of three MLAs on July 4 in Raj Niwas. Ruling Congress party on Saturday also extended its support to the one day bandh.

The political parties allege that the Centre had finalised the names of the three nominated MLAs in an arbitrary manner and LG Bedi administered oath to them secretly.

The three members nominated by the Centre and inducted as members of the Puducherry Assembly are V Saminathan, K G Shankar and S Selvaganapathy. All three are associated with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

When asked for the comment on the bandh, Bedi said, "I have no idea what this bandh is for; no idea what this bandh is against. I don't understand the meaning of this bandh at all."

She said that the Chief Minister and other political parties were misleading people that the MLAs were nominated and administered oath in an arbitrary manner.

"According to the Constitution, the Central Government has the powers to nominate MLAs and that is what it has done," Bedi said.

She further added that the Narayanasamy government didn't allow the lawfully nominated MLAs to take the oath and hence they were administered oath in her chamber as per the powers vested with the LG.

When asked about the Chief Minister's allegation of her arbitrariness, Bedi squarely blamed Narayanasamy on the nomination of the MLAs.

"Ask the Chief Minister did he make any recommendation about the nominated MLAs to the LG. Had he made any recommendation, then I would have forwarded it to the Central Government for consideration. However, it was up to the Centre to accept or reject the recommendation. But, did he fulfil his duty?" Bedi questioned.

She asserted that Narayanasamy owes an explanation to Congress and Congress workers that why did he not make any recommendation.

There were some reports of vandalism and people getting injured during the day long strike in the Union Territory.

She held Narayanasamy accountable for the violence and ruckus by saying that "he is not an independent candidate and hence is responsible for his party, Congress' acts, which is supporting the bandh.

When asked about Narayanasamy's demand that Kiran Bedi should walk off Puducherry, Bedi laughingly said, "Walk off! I don't understand what he means. I can't match him on his statements, which I read daily and it is news to me."

She further added that "I am appointed here; I have a responsibility to fulfil. And, therefore I have chosen to do my duty 24x7 that too in a manner which is laid down under the rules and the law. This Raj Niwas belongs to the people of Puducherry. For me, it is all issue based governance and I am for all those who are in need and everybody is equal for me."

She said sometimes she wondered where were Narayanasamy's statements coming from and on what basis.

"Words are like arrows, once they leave you; they don't come back. I hope one day he regrets his statements," Bedi said.