Puducherry CM threatens contempt action if SC's Delhi ruling not followed

The top court said that except for three issues -- public order, police and land, the Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other issues.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy (File | PTI)

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said that the Supreme Court judgement curtailing the powers of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi was "totally applicable" to Puducherry as well and threatened contempt proceedings if it was not followed in the Union territory.

In a judgement seen as a major victory for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court today ruled that the LG has no independent power to make decisions and is bound by the elected government's advice.

Hailing the verdict, a combative Naranaswamy, who has been locked in a bitter turf war with Puducherry LG Kiran Bedi, warned he would file a contempt petition if the apex court order was not followed in the Union territory.

"I welcome the verdict, and it is totally applicable for the government of Puducherry, which is also a Union territory. It is a historic and grand victory of the elected representatives," he told reporters.

"Whoever functions contrary to the judgment now delivered by the apex court would face serious action. I myself would file a contempt petition against those failing to act in consonance with the Supreme Court verdict," he said, without naming Bedi.

The top court said that except for three issues -- public order, police and land, the Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other issues.

Narayanaswamy has repeatedly accused Bedi of "overreach and interference" in the day-to-day running of the administration.

He has often deprecated Bedi's surprise field visits and criticised her for issuing orders to government officials without consulting the chief minister or ministers concerned, besides sitting on files relating to farm loan waiver and free education for Dalits.

The chief minister hoped Bedi, who has often put "hurdles" in the way of implementation of various decisions of his government, would change her ways following the apex court judgement.

"Now everything would become a thing of the past. The Supreme Court's verdict has established the spirit of democracy and the purpose of elected government," he said, noting that the top court has ruled that the Lieutenant Governor should not be "obstructionist".

Narayanasamy said he has always insisted that the LG does not have independent decision-making powers and that "real power must lie with the elected government".

About Bedi passing on instructions and issuing orders through social media, the chief minister said, "The the era of WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook frequently resorted to by the LG would now become a thing of the past."

The chief minister asked government officers not to take part in any discussion with the LG without informing the minister concerned about the purpose of the meeting.