Kiran Bedi hits back at Narayanswamy's government in Puducherry; cites Delhi's special status

Much like Delhi, Puducherry is seeing a tussle for power between the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government.

Last year, the Puducherry assembly had also adopted a resolution to alter the law and limit the powers of the Lieutenant Governor.

On Wednesday, chief minister Narayanaswamy, while praising the apex court’s decision which said that it is the elected government and not the governor which holds power in Delhi.
Narayanaswamy said this verdict would, "100 percent apply to Puducherry" and anyone who was, “contrary to the judgment" should face a legal action.

His party said, "Hope Lt Governor Kiran Bedi mends her ways. She often mocks at elected representatives".

But Bedi’s social media post where she cited a news report explains the fact that the court has said that the situation of both the Union Territories was different, giving emphasis to the special status given to Delhi by the constitution under Article 239AA.   

The bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had said, "At the outset, we must declare that the insertion of Articles 239AA and 239AB which specifically pertain to NCT of Delhi is reflective of the intention of the Parliament to accord Delhi a sui generis status from the other Union Territories as well as from the Union Territory of Puducherry to which Article 239A is singularly applicable as on date".

Narayanaswamy’s government has seen a struggle for power with Bedi after her appointment in 2016, similar to what is happening in Delhi between Arvind Kejriwal’s government and the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

Bedi has been accused by Narayanswamy time and again of undermining his powers and overruling him.

The Congress and the DMK legislators had appealed to the centre to recall the former IPS officer because of her ‘dictatorial’ style of work which overruled the elected legislature, last year in January.