Notification on SEC post: Pondy Lt Governor, CM in fresh war

A fresh turf war erupted on Monday between Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and the territorial government over a notification on the appointment of the state election commissioner (SEC).

The notification of the Local Administration Department was published in a newspaper at the instance of the Lieutenant Governor allegedly without the knowledge of the government.

This created a heated debate during the special session of the assembly with the members of both the ruling and opposition parties registering a protest against the notification.

The assembly began its special session to discuss issues related to drinking water and harvesting of rainwater, among other things.

As soon as the resolution on this was tabled by the Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and was adopted unanimously, the government whip R K R Anandaraman rose to inform the House that the local administration department had published the advertisement in a newspaper.

He said this was a violation of the rights and privileges of the elected government and wanted the Speaker V P Sivakolundhu to annul the advertisement.

Local Administration Minister A Namassivayam said the cabinet had forwarded its decision to post the SEC to the Lt Governor for approval a year ago.

"The Lt Governor had not responded to the cabinet decision but now an advertisement has been released at her instance and without Chief Minister's and my knowledge," he said.

AIADMK member A Baskar said the Speaker should order an enquiry and wanted the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Narayanasamy, who spoke on the issue, said he was really shocked to see the advertisement.

He said the decision of the cabinet to post an incumbent of the post of SEC was forwarded in May last year to Lt Governor for approval.

"But she had not responded to our decision," he said and wanted the Speaker to call for the files for his perusal and for follow-up action.

The Speaker ruled that the advertisement of the department stood annulled.

Also, he ordered that all the files relating to the move to post the official should be placed before him for perusal and follow-up action.

Earlier, the House adopted a resolution condoling the death of the former Chief Minister R V Janakiraman (DMK).

All the members stood in silence in memory of Janakiraman.

Also, the House also made obituary references to the death of former Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit and former Lt Governor of Puducherry Virendra Kataria.

The House then adjournedto meet Tuesday.