Puducherry LG Kiran Bedi (File Photo)
Reacting to the poster of herself portrayed as German dictator Adolf Hitler, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on Friday said it was ‘seriously objectionable’. “Persons can be disliked but sanctity of the status of the lieutenant governor office must not be compromised. Respectful means of protest can be found without disrespecting constitutional offices,” Bedi tweeted after putting her posters, portraying her dubiously as Hitler and Goddess Kaali on her tweeter handle.
“These posters are not in good taste for office of a lieutenant governor. These posters are in poor taste. They are really an attempt at lowering the status of the office of lieutenant governor,” she added in her tweets.
Bedi had tweeted the picture of a poster on Thursday which was allegedly made by a Congress unit as part of its ‘Condemnation Agitation against the Central government and the Lt Governor for the process of nominating MLAs.’
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy also expressed his disapproval. Addressing reporters in Puducherry, the CM said although every one has the right to air views to protect the elected government’s privileges, “there should be (…) restraint in making comments or depicting caricatures or displaying posters on lieutenant governor.”
This has become the latest flashpoint in a series of altercations between the Congress-led Puducherry government and the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Governor Bedi had previously come under attack from the Congress after swearing-in three persons, nominated by the Centre, as members of the Legislative Assembly on July 4. The three, inducted as members of the Puducherry Assembly, are V Saminathan (president of Puducherry unit of BJP), K G Shankar (its treasurer) and S Selvaganapathy (an educationist and member of the BJP in Puducherry). Read: Kiran Bedi tweets out alleged Congress-made poster showing her as Adolf Hitler. Click here.
Members of the Congress protested against the induction. CM Narayanasamy accompanied by PCC chief and PWD Minister A Namassivayam, party MLAs and functionaries participated in the demonstration held at neighbouring Thavalakuppam village.
A bandh was also observed on July 8 in Puducherry to protest against the “undemocratic style of functioning of the Lt Governor and the nomination of three BJP activists by the Centre without adhering to democratic procedures.” The parties also sought ouster of Bedi. They had previously held a fast on July 7.
(With inputs from PTI)
