PUDUCHERRY: The Karaikal Struggle Group (KSG), which is fighting for an independent State of Karaikal, has alleged discrimination in the appointment of the three nominated MLAs to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly and has urged the Prime Minister to give representation to Karaikal region in the nomination process.
S P Selvashanmugham, convener, KSG, Karaikal, who petitioned the Prime Minister, said the panel has no representation from outlying regions of the Union Territory -- Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam -- and that representation to Karaikal was necessary to maintain regional balance. “It is a serious act of discrimination by selecting all the three members from Puducherry region,” he said.
In the year 1990 when V P Singh‘s government was in power at the Centre, the nominated MLAs were appointed by the Central government by giving one representation to Karaikal region, he added.
Selvashanmugham also pointed out that even the number of elected MLAs from Karaikal has reduced over the years. When Karaikal got independence from French Government it had 12 Legislative Assembly members to Puducherry Assembly. Subsequently, it was reduced to 7 and later to 6. In the last delimitation, the number was reduced to 5.