Lt guv making mockery of Constitution: Pondy Cong MLA tells HC

Former Union minister P Chidambaram Wednesday submitted in the Madras High Court that Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi was making a "mockery" of the Constitution and the Puducherry Union Territory Act and

Rules.

Chidambaram was making submissions on behalf of Puducherry Congress MLA Lakshminarayanan.

Lakshminarayanan has challenged the validity of two clarifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last year regarding the powers enjoyed by lieutenant governor of a Union Territory.

Lakshminarayanan moved the court assailing the clarifications dated January 27 and June 16 last year.

The MHA had in the clarifications made it clear that the lieutenant governor (L-G) of the Union Territory enjoys more power than a governor of a state and can act without the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

 

The ministry also said the L-G can call for files relating to any case and request the chief minister for an update on any doubt or query which may arise.

The clarification came amidst the tussle between Puducherry L-G Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy over powers designated to the two authorities.

Chidambaram said that the "Lt governor is interfering in day-to-day affairs of the elected government".

"She is calling officers such as Corporation Commissioners and Police officials and Municipal officials directly and seeking explanations for all the things," Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram submitted that the controversy arises because of her continued interference. The arguments will continue tomorrow.

The petitioner has claimed that the clarifications were issued at the instance of the Puducherry lieutenant governor.

The clarifications have been issued in total contravention of the Rules of Business of the Government of Puducherry, 1963, he alleged.

The petitioner said Chief Minister V Narayanasamy had already made representation to the authorities concerned, explaining the constitutional position, but the authorities have not responded to the communication.

He said Bedi believed in her "individual wish and will over the collective responsibility and wisdom of the council of ministers".

"Therefore, she wants to impose, substitute and perpetrate her ideas, thoughts and decisions by running a parallel government," Lakshminarayanan had earlier submitted.