JOIN USPM Modi disrespected people's vote in Puducherry by using Lt Governor against elected govt, says Rahul Gandhi
As the Congress party-led government faces a major crisis in Puducherry, its former President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “disrespecting the vote” of the people of Puducherry by misusing the office of Lt. Governor and not letting an elected government function.
Launching the Congress' election campaign in tiny Union Territory by addressing a rally in Puducherry town, Gandhi also accused Modi of “destroying” the institution of Lt. Governor much like “he destroyed other institutions” in the country.
A combative Gandhi devoted a majority part of his nearly 20-minute speech to Modi and Kiran Bedi, who was sacked as L-G on Tuesday, accusing them of disregarding the aspirations and dreams of the people of the UT.
“For the past five years, the prime minister of the country has not allowed the government of Puducherry to function. The prime minister has personally insulted the vote of the people of Puducherry. Through the office of the L-G, he has repeatedly sent you a message that your vote does not matter, and the only thing that matters is he is the prime minister,” Gandhi told the rally.
The Wayanad MP's attack came as the Congress battles a major internal crisis — two ministers and as many legislators have put in their papers complaining against the chief minister's style of functioning. Two have already joined the BJP, and more are likely to follow suit.
Continuing his attack against Modi, Gandhi alleged that Modi took away the “dreams of the people of Puducherry". "Today, an Indian person cannot get justice from the judicial system without being terrified of what will be done to him,” said Gandhi.
The Congress has made the functioning of the L-G and “interference” from the Centre a major election issue. Claiming that Modi thinks he is the “king and not the prime minister”, Gandhi told the people of Puducherry to remember what Modi did to them when they go to vote.
“When you go to vote, remember the last time the prime minister has challenged your vote. He disrespected your vote, your tradition, and your history. A person who has disrespected your tradition in the past will disrespect you in the future. It is not an electoral battle, but the battle for the spirit of Puducherry,” he added.
Training his guns on Bedi, Gandhi sought to know who gave the right to her to decide on behalf of the people of Puducherry. “How dare somebody decide to do this to you? Just because they have control of the government? Just because they control the CBI? Just because they control the ED? We are never going to allow this,” he said.