One more Congress MLA quits in Puducherry

With one more MLA resigning in Puducherry a day before a test of strength, the fate of the Congress Government seems almost sealed as it no longer has a majority. Four-time Congress MLA Lakshminarayanan while putting in his papers said he is upset over not getting “recognition” in the party. He said he will leave the party too.
With his exit, the Congress government’s strength in the Puducherry legislative assembly has fallen to 13 out of a total 27.

“I wasn’t made a minister even though I am a senior leader. The ruling Congress has been reduced to a minority and I can’t be fully blamed for the crisis,” Lakshminarayanan told NDTV, adding the regional party NR Congress and the BJP have approached him. “I will make the next move after consulting my supporters,” Lakshminarayanan said.

Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan called the floor test on Monday citing the opposition’s stand that the ruling party no longer has a majority.
If both the government and the opposition fall short of numbers, Puducherry is likely headed for President’s rule just three months before elections.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has accused the opposition BJP of trying to topple his government. He alleged it has been the “practice and design” of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disturb Congress governments in states like Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and now in Puducherry.

Ms Soundararajan took charge as Lieutenant Governor after Kiran Bedi’s sudden removal on Tuesday. The new Lieutenant Governor had said a floor test was needed to confirm whether the Congress government still enjoys a majority, with letters from opposition parties suggesting otherwise. The vote has to be completed by 5 pm on Monday.

Four outcomes are being seen as likely in Puducherry. The government would remain intact if it passes the test of strength – the Chief Minister claims the resignation of two MLAs is yet to be accepted. The Chief Minister may dissolve the assembly and call for election. Or the government would fall and the Lieutenant Governor would ask the NR Congress to form government with only three months to go for election. In the final outcome, the Lieutenant Governor could bring President’s rule.