29 members sworn in as MLAs in Puducherry Assembly

Protem Speaker V P Sivakolundhu on Thursday administered the oath of office to 29 of the 30 newly elected members of the 14th Puducherry Assembly on the opening day of the session.

While 21 members —14 of ruling Congress, two of its ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the lone Independent member from Mahe and four from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were earlier sworn in as MLAs. Eight members of the opposition All India Nadesan Rangaswamy Congress (AINRC)bloc had not turned up for the ceremony earlier.

However, seven of the eight AINRC members, including former Chief Minister N Rangaswamy, were later administered the oath of office in the chamber of the Protem Speaker.

Secretary to the Assembly S Mohandas told PTI that S V Sugumaran, an AINRC member from Mangalam constituency could not be present as he was indisposed.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who is a non-member of the House, did not take the oath.

Sivakolundhu of the ruling Congress was inducted as Protem Speaker by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Wednesday.