Speaker returns files on nominated MLAs to Lt Governer

Puducherry: Escalating the fight with Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, speaker V.Vaithilingam returned the files nominating 3 BJP members to the territorial assembly terming it as 'unacceptable'. The Centre had nominated three BJP members, including BJP's Puducherry unit president V Saminathan, its treasurer  K G Shankar and another BJP functionary and educationist S Selvaganapath, to the Legislative Assembly.

Though the members had approached the Speaker to conduct the swearing-in function at the earliest, the Speaker rejected the plea and instead asked them to wait following which on July 4, Ms Bedi had administered them the oath of office without informing the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and legislators.

The Lt Governor maintained that everything was done following proper procedures, but her action had invited widespread criticism. Ruling Congress and opposition parties joined hands together to protest against Ms Bedi who shows 'no repect' to the elected members and the government. Four political parties with the support of the Congress party had observed a bandh on Saturday condemning her actions.

The three nominated MLAs approached the Speaker on Monday and requested him to extend them all privileges enjoyed by other MLAs where the speaker refused the plea saying that the Assembly Secretariat did not receive any official communication so far. The Speaker had returned the file back to Raj Nivas later.
"Neither the nomination of members nor the conduct of swearing-in function followed any proper procedures. Thus the Speaker returned the files", said a senior Congress leader.

At the same time, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, in a press release, said the action of the Speaker returning files to the Lt Governor was reported to Government of India for appropriate action as the fact remains that the nomination of the MLAs was done by Central government and notified by the Government of Puducherry.

The Lt Governor said that all the procedures were notified by the Speaker also. The Lt Governor also wrote to the Chief Minister seeking  a magisterial enquiry with regard to the Incidents of violence during the July 8 Bandh called by political parties.