Mend ways or quit, Pondy CM tells Bedi on Floor of House 

Stepping up his attack on Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Wednesday said she should either mend her ways or quit, as the union territory Assembly saw two Ministers slamming her for “causing hindrances” in implementing government decisions.

The government was in an unenviable situation due to ‘lack’ of allocation of sufficient funds by the Centre and “continued hindrances by the Lt Governor in the implementation of welfare schemes,” he told the Assembly. He was making an intervention after Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan alleged that Bedi was obstructing procurement of paddy from farmers and Welfare Minister M Kandasamy listed ‘difficulties’ faced by departments under his ministry due to her “constant intervention.”

The Chief Minister said the government was forced to move the court frequently because of the Lt Governor’s intervention whether it was posting a State Election Commissioner or deciding the modalities of operating the free rice scheme.

“Basically we are accountable and answerable to the people whenever welfare schemes come across road blocks and hiccups... the Lt Governor should either mend her ways or quit,” Narayanasamy, whose government has been at loggerheads with Bedi, added.