No confrontation with Lt Gov, says Pondicherry CM

Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanaswamy denied on Tuesday, the allegation by opposition parties in the house that there was a turf war between Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and government.

Talking to newspersons after the house was adjourned, Mr Narayanasamy said that it had been recorded in the proceedings that there should not be any critical comments of the Lt Governor on the floor of the Assembly. He also made it clear that the powers of ministers would not be compromised at any cost.

Earlier, in the house, DMK legislator R Siva and Congress legislator RKR Anantharaman demanded that the House adopt a resolution seeking the recall of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

Mr Narayanasamy said that he was hopeful of getting copious funds for developmental programmes in the Central budget being presented in Parliament on February 1. Earlier, the winter session of the legislative Assembly commenced on Tuesday without the customary address by the Lieutenant Governor. Opposition parties alleged that developmental activities in the state had come to a standstill due to the power struggle between Kiran Bedi and the elected government.

Leader of the opposition and N. R. Congress president N Rangasamy alleged that government officials were confused as to whom they should obey. He also alleged that the Congress government was not seriously taking up the issue of statehood for the Union Territory.