Published 09:08 IST, February 18th 2019
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to visit Puducherry CM Narayanasamy sitting on a dharna against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Puducherry on Monday to meet his counterpart V Narayanasamy there who is sitting on a dharna outside the Raj Nivas, an official said here Sunday. Narayanasamy, his cabinet colleagues and legislators belonging to the Congress and the DMK continued their dharna for the fifth day on Sunday protesting Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's "negative stand" towards his government's proposals awaiting her approval.
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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Puducherry on Monday to meet his counterpart V Narayanasamy there who is sitting on a dharna outside the Raj Nivas, an official said here Sunday.
Narayanasamy, his cabinet colleagues and legislators belonging to the Congress and the Congress continued their dharna for the fifth day on Sunday protesting Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's "negative stand" towards his government's proposals awaiting her approval.
A senior Delhi government's official said Kejriwal, accompanied by his deputy Manish Sisodia, will meet the Puducherry chief minister at the protest venue around 12 noon Monday.
The Lt Governor and the government headed by Narayanasamy have been at loggerheads over various issues ever since Bedi assumed office in May 2016.
Narayanasamy has accused Bedi of not approving his government's 39 proposals for welfare schemes, including a free rice scheme, and on administrative matters.
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi replied to their protest saying that the ministers had levelled unfounded allegations against her. She also said that the MLAs and CM have turned from lawmakers to lawbreakers.
"It is sad to see when a CM sends a letter to Lt Governor and within a week demands a reply by force of a ‘Dharna’/ blockade of Raj Nivas. He also makes unfounded allegations, misleading people in Puducherry. He openly dares violation of MV Act on wearing of helmets to prevent fatal accidents.
Today, Raj Nivas was totally surrounded by CM and his agitators. None of us could move out or visitors could come in. Also, the staff too was blocked from returning to the office.
This is an absolutely unlawful situation of lawmakers turned law-breakers. We are not sure of how the situation will be tomorrow either," she said.
She also said she wanted to meet the chief minister on February 21.
However, the chief minister has remained unyielding calling the Dharna a movement against dictatorship and said that he will only end the protest if Bedi approves the cabinet's files.
(With agency inputs)
08:30 IST, February 18th 2019