Kiran Bedi demands apology from Puducherry CM for storming out of event

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his cabinet colleagues on Sunday (January 26) walked out of the tea party hosted by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on the occasion of Republic Day.

In order to register his protest against the LT Governor conducting programmes without prior information to him and the other ministers, they alleged that Bedi had clubbed these programmes with “at home” function, which is normally not done on ceremonial occasions.

Therefore they staged a walkout from Raj Nivas, Narayanasamy said in a press meet on Monday.

Hitting back at CM over his criticism that she has been “overstepping” her authority, Kiran Bedi on Tuesday (January 28) said the powers and responsibilities of the Lt Governor were not at the pleasure of his office.

In her WhatsApp message, the former IPS officer said, “the powers and responsibility of Lt Governor are from the Government of Union Territory Act and Business Rules made by President and not at the pleasure of the CM’s office.”

Bedi, who has been at loggerheads with the Narayanasamy-led government on various administrative issues said, “unfortunately the Chief Minister has only been wanting a rubber stamp office and not a thinking and contributing one.”

Flaying the Chief Minister, she said he was perfect at misinforming the people constantly and has also kept the Lt Governor’s office embroiled in litigation. However, he has not succeeded so far, she said.

Referring to Narayanasamy’s criticisms that she has breached the conventions at the “at home” reception on the Republic Day, Bedi said, “the CM’s insinuations are a cover-up for his own embarrassing misbehaviour at the function when he crudely shouted at the Comptroller of Raj Nivas.”

Also Read: Is Kerala Governor trying to be a Kiran Bedi?

Accusing Narayanasamy of being both “rude and crude” in his behaviour, the Lt Governor said the Chief Minister owes an apology to Comptroller of Raj Nivas, Asha Gupta for shouting at her in public after she requested him to offer shawls to the Padma awardees.

“I and many others are a direct witness to Chief Minister’s crude behaviour,” she said.

Meanwhile, Opposition AIADMK accused the Lt Governor and Chief Minister of “ignoring” people’s woes and engaging themselves with mutual accusations and allegations tarnishing the image of Union Territory.

“Law and order is in shambles in Union Territory and workers were restive because of the move to close the century-old AFT mill, AIADMK leader A Anbalagan told reporters here.

“Instead of finding solutions to these problems the Lt Governor and Chief Minister were indulging in mud-slinging against each other,” he added.