All you need to know about Congress crisis in Puducherry

The union territory is headed by Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance

In a sudden political development, the Congress government in the union territory lost its majority with another ruling party MLA resigning on Tuesday, while Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, whose recall has been demanded by the ruling party for long, was removed from the post.

The resignation by John Kumar, who became the fourth legislator to quit the assembly last month, reduced the numbers of the Congress-DMK alliance to 14 in the assembly with an effective strength of 28, prompting calls by the Opposition for the resignation of Chief Minister V Narayanasamy.

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The union territory is headed by the Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance, which, looking at developments in the recent days, maybe headed towards a collapse if they fail to prove majority. Amid a resignation spree in Congress, DMK announced that they would contest 30 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

What is the rift between DMK and Congress?

DMK chief M K Stalin and Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy have enjoyed a good relationship over the years but DMK’s Jagathrakshagan has been emerging as a central power in the union territory has disturbed the working of Congress.

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There have also been reports that DMK is aggressively pushing for Jagathrakshagan to be the CM candidate, creating differences in the alliance.

Congress MLAs go on a resignation spree

The exodus of Congress MLAs started with the resignation of then Minister A Namassivayam and E Theeppainjan last month with the two later joining the BJP. Malladi Krishna Rao, also a minister, resigned from the government and also as MLA on Monday. The Speaker has accepted the resignations of Kumar and Rao, reported PTI quoting sources in the Assembly. Another Congress MLA N Dhanavelou was disqualified for alleged anti-party activities in July last year.

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The Congress had won 15 assembly seats in the 2016 polls. The strength of the Congress in the Assembly has decreased to 10 including the Speaker. Its ally DMK has three members and an independent also supports the government. The simple majority in the assembly with the reduced strength is 15. The Opposition also has 14 MLAs in the 33-member House.

The party position in the Assembly as od February 17: Congress (10), DMK (3), All-India NR Congress (7), AIADMK (4), BJP (3) (all nominated and have voting rights) and one independent.

(With agency inputs)