With the Supreme Court declining to intervene on the High Court order curtailing the powers of Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Friday said the Prime Minister should at least now consider his demand for her recall.
“The verdict given by the people of Puducherry during the Lok Sabha elections shows their preference against Ms. Bedi’s continuance in the Union Territory. People have started asking whether a person who has taken an obstructionist stand should continue as the Lt. Governor,” the Chief Minister said at a press conference held here after the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the High Court order curtailing the powers of Ms. Bedi.
The Prime Minister had been maintaining a stand that nation’s progress depended on the growth of States and Union Territories. The Lt. Governor during her three-year tenure had taken an obstructionist stand. The Prime Minister should consider the demand for Ms. Bedi’s recall.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to entertain Ms. Bedi’s plea challenging High Court order was “historic and a victory for the people of the Union Territory,” the Chief Minister said.
Since there was no stay to the High Court order, the judgment given by the court upholding the rights of an elected government remained as order of the day. The Lt. Governor could not intervene in the day-to-day affairs of an elected government, he said.
The Cabinet decision having financial implications and related to land transfer could be implemented, the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Narayanasamy thanked the judiciary for having reaffirmed faith in democracy. Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister K. Lakshminarayanan, who had filed the public interest litigation in the High Court challenging Ms. Bedi’s authority, said he would certainly move contempt petition against officials who ignored the directions of the Cabinet. “Any contempt will be taken very seriously,” he said.
The Chief Minister distributed sweets among Congress legislators and party functionaries at the press conference. Party workers burst crackers near Raj Nivas.