UPA government sidelined and ignored Puducherry: AINRC

Puducherry, April 20: The ruling AINRC today alleged that the Congress led UPA government at the Centre had sidelined and ignored the Union Territory and consequently 'violated the promise given by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru to ensure its development Seeking support for its candidate R Radhakrishnan, a former Speaker, for the Apr 24 Lok Sabha polls for the lone seat, AINRC in a release said during merger of Puducherry and outlying regions with Indian Union, Nehru had promised to preserve the UT's identity and support development.

But the UPA government had not lived up to it and acted a manner in which the elected government was not allowed to function independently. Without naming Minister of State in PMO and Congress nominee Narayanasamy, the release in a veiled refererence to him said for the last two decades one person was repeatedly elected to Parliament (to Upper and Lower Houses) "but has not done anything for Puducherry".

It claimed that despite 'obstacles' by the Centre, the Rangasamy led government had implemented various measures like taking care of poor students joining medical courses, monthly assistance to widows, providing health care services and supply of free rice.

Alleging that the UPA government was involved in several scams the release said that the countrys economy has declined sharply and unemployment had increased. The policy paralysis of the Central government had severely impacted small traders, industrialists, manufacturers, farmers and people belonging to lower and middle income groups, it said.

People have lost faith in the Congress led government and are now waiting for a positive change, the release claimed. Justifying the ruling AINRC's alliance with BJP, it said BJP would form the next government at the centre with Narendra Modi set to become PM.

"There will be positive attention from the new government to Puducherry and particularly towards its development", it said.

PTI