Puducherry MLAs boycott Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's Independence day tea party

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy was in attendance at the customary high tea.

Legislators from almost all political parties in Puducherry snubbed Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and boycotted a party hosted by her. The customary Independence Day high tea reception was attended only by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, a BJP MLA nominated by Kiran Bedi and BJP local unit president V Swaminathan.

All MLAs from Congress, DMK and opposition AIADMK including ministers in the Puducherry cabinet boycotted the traditional Independence Day party hosted by Governors and Lt Governor of all states and union territories across the country. The snub comes in the backdrop of Kiran Bedi locking horns with the government in Puducherry over various issues including the medical college seat distribution, nomination of BJP MLAs and NEET. The political class in Puducherry have been accusing Kiran Bedi of interfering in governance while the Lt Governor has refused to remain a rubber stamp.

Bureaucrats and police officials were present in the reception which also hosted French Consul General in Puducherry Catherine Suard. The MLAs tried to justify their absence by stating that they had to travel far off for Independence day celebrations.

With Agency inputs