3 nominated BJP MLAs denied permission to enter Pondy assembly

Three nominated BJP MLAs today made an attempt to participate in the Puducherry assembly proceedings, citing the Supreme Court's refusal to stay the Madras High Court order upholding their nomination.

However they were turned away by the watch and ward staff of the assembly saying they could not be allowed as per the Speaker's order.

Protesting against denial of entry into the assembly, the three MLAs staged a demonstration for an hour.

Later speaking to reporters, the three said they would file a petition against the Speaker for contempt of court as he had denied them permission to attend the session.

The Union Home Ministry had appointed the three functionaries of the BJP as nominated members to Puducherry Assembly in June last year.

However, Assembly Speaker V Vaithilingam had refused to recognise their appointment on the ground that they were not nominated by competent authority.

The three BJP members were however inducted as nominated MLAs by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi at Raj Nivas on July 4 last year.

Subsequently, their appointment was challenged in the Madras High Court by K Lakshminarayanan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister.

The court had in its verdict on March 22 this year upheld their nomination and based on the verdict the three BJP MLAs attempted to take part in the session on March 26.

But, the Speaker said his views were not heard and that he was not made a party to the case and hence refused permission to the them to attend the assembly session.

Meanwhile, the High Court order was challenged in the Supreme court by Lakshminarayanan and another petitioner S Dhanalakshmi.

Saminathan said the apex court had in its July 13 order said there was no stay on the high court verdict.

Police were deployed in strength outside the Assembly and the whole area was cordoned off.