Puducherry, Feb 22 (IANS): Chief minister V Narayanasamy lost the majority as the no-confidence motion moved by him was defeated. The Congress MLAs staged a walk out even as Speaker of the Assembly announced that the trust vote moved by the Chief Minister was defeated.
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy submitted his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor after losing majority in the Assembly. "Myself, ministers, Congress and DMK MLAs and independent legislator have tendered resignation and sought it be accepted," said Narayanasamy.
He said that his party MLAs walked out of the House as Speaker refused to accept their contention that nominated MLAs (BJP) do not have a right to vote. "People of Puducherry will teach the opposition a lesson in the upcoming elections. All the ministers and I have tendered our resignation."
Before walking out, Narayansamy also slammed Centre for colluding with the Opposition to topple his government and argumented over voting rights of three nominated MLAs.
Addressing the Assembly ahead of floor test, he said alleged that BJP is derailing India's democratic system. "What is happening in Puducherry now is political prostitution. But the truth will prevail," he said.
He alleged that former Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and the Centre colluded with the Opposition to destabilize his government.
Naranasamy, whose government slipped into minority due to resignation of six MLAs of the ruling alliance during the last one month, said the MLAs who resigned will not be able to face the people as people will call them opportunists.
"As our MLAs stayed united we managed to pull off the last five years. The Centre has betrayed people of Puducherry by not granting funds we requested," he said.
He claimed that people of the Union Territory are with the Congress-led government. He pointed out that after forming the government with the support of DMK and independent MLAs, the alliance won all by-elections.
"People trust us as our government has elected by them. The Opposition who is unable to win the elections is trying to destabilize the government," he said.
Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundrarajan, who took as additional charge of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor, on February 18 directed the Chief Minister to prove his majority in Assembly.
The development came after the Opposition alleged that the government slipped into minority after resignation of four MLAs.
Two more legislators resigned on Sunday, reducing the ruling alliance's strength to 12 in 30-member Assembly.