Puducherry BJP to keep speaker’s post

PUDUCHERRY: After prolonged negotiations and discussions, the Puducherry BJP on Wednesday announced that the party would get the post of speaker of the legislative assembly and representation in the five-member cabinet. The BJP leaders in the Union Territory said they arrived at a consensus with ally All India NR Congress (AINRC).
BJP Puducherry unit president V Saminathan told reporters his party would keep the post of the speaker and would have representation in the five-member cabinet. However, he did not reveal the number of ministerial berths the saffron party would get. He made the announcement after chairing a meeting on Wednesday evening of BJP MLAs, including the three nominated MLAs and two independent MLAs, who have extended support to the party.
"The meeting passed a resolution to abide by the decision of the party high command on the number of ministerial berths for the party in the cabinet and their portfolios. The party high command will announce the number of ministerial berths, ministerial candidates and their portfolios and the speaker candidate in a day or two. The cabinet expansion will take place soon," said Saminathan.
A senior AINRC functionary said the party conceded to BJP's demand for the speaker's post and two ministerial berths but not on the post of deputy chief minister. "A decision on offering deputy chief minister post to the BJP will be taken after the cabinet of five members (including two BJP) settles down," said the functionary.
Saminathan brushed aside charges of the opposition that confusion prevailed in the NDA camp on the expansion of the cabinet. "The delay was because chief minister Rangasamy was down with Covid-19 infection. There is no confusion in the NDA. We will complete the full five-year term and implement all development and welfare schemes of the Centre and ensure the Union territory’s progress," he said.