Despite HC order, 3 nominated BJP MLAs not allowed into UT Assembly

The nominated BJP members, V Saminathan, K G Shankar and S Selvaganapthy, said they were stopped by the police posted inside and outside the assembly premises. Lt Governor Kiran Bedi delivered the customary address in the assembly. 

The three MLAs, along with their supporters, squatted on the road outside the campus and raised slogans against the police later. Shankar suddenly fell ill and had to be rushed to the government general hospital near the assembly. 

The trio’s nomination had earlier been rejected by Speaker V Vaithilingam. The Speaker, through a communication to the members on Sunday, had said he was not heard by the Madras High Court on the issue of their nomination by the Centre and, accordingly, he stuck to his November 12 order last year, rejecting their nomination. 

The Speaker had taken the stand that the ‘principle of natural justice’ was not applied in adjudication of the issue of their nomination.

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Monday said follow-up action will be taken on the issue of obstructing the three nominated members from attending the assembly session. 

Bedi, in a WhatsApp message, said, “it has been brought to our notice that the three nominated members of the territorial assembly have been obstructed from coming to the assembly despite clear orders of the first Bench of the Madras High Court. I am calling for a report from the Chief Secretary and required follow-up action at the administrative end”. The Union Ministry of Home shall also be informed accordingly, she added.