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Opposition parties in Puducherry criticise Ministers’ stand

PUDUCHERRY: The decision of all the five Ministers to keep themselves away from the Cabinet meetings drew flak from major political parties including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) which had been extending outside support to the Congress government.

Leaders of the DMK, the PMK, the CPI, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) told The Hindu separately on Thursday that the stand taken by the Ministers that they would not participate in the Cabinet meeting till their preconditions were fulfilled did not augur well for the Union Territory.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly A.M.H.Nazeem (DMK) dubbed the decision of the Ministers not to attend the Cabinet meetings “betrayal” of the people.

“They may have differences with Chief Minister N.Rangasamy but as long as he is at the helm of affairs, they should attend the Cabinet meeting whenever he convenes it,” he said.

The “standoff” between the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues should not come in the way of quick movement of files, particularly when clearance had to be made for obtaining the loan component of the budget to the tune of Rs.1,350 crore, Mr. Nazeem said. He also urged the Congress high command to intervene immediately to sort out the issue.

Leader of the AIADMK legislature party A. Anbalagan said the Ministers’ decision was opposed to the oath of office administered to them and the Representation of the People Act.

“The Cabinet has not been able to take any decision on various issues affecting the people,” he said.

If Mr.Rangasamy was not able to take a firm stand and sack the Ministers who had been “boycotting” the Cabinet meetings, he should step down, Mr.Anbalagan said, adding that the Lieutenant Governor should convene a special session of the Assembly.

Leader of the PMK in the Assembly R.K.R.Anantharaman said the Ministers should not try to settle scores with the Chief Minister by staying away from the Cabinet meetings.

The Cabinet had the responsibility to take important decisions to promote the welfare of the people, besides ensuring the development of the Union Territory, he said.

National council member of the CPI R.Viswanathan flayed the Ministers who “placed their personal grouses above the people’s welfare.”

It was an insult to the people’s mandate that a situation had been created where the Cabinet meeting could not be held, he said, adding that if the scenario persisted, the entire Ministry should quit, paving the way for the formation of an alternative government.

Secretary of the Puducherry unit of the CPI (M) V. Perumal said the infighting in the Ministry had resulted in “acts of violence by the ruling party activists posing hardship to the public, besides setting an example for bad governance.”

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