Puducherry LG orders floor test

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor has ordered a floor test for the current government to prove its majority.

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan who has been appointed after Kiran Bedi's removal from the post, on Thursday ordered a floor test for the Congress government citing opposition's stand on the current situation that the ruling party no longer has a majority. The floor test will take place on February 22 by 5 pm.

V Narayanasamy led government has been facing political crisis as it was reduced to minority after the resignation of four of its MLAs. However, the Chief Minister has been denying the opposition's claim. Mr Narayanasamy held a meeting with MLAs at his place on Thursday to discuss the developments. He said that he will conduct another meeting on February 21 to come to a conclusion and also consult the alliance party, DMK regarding the issue.

In a total of 33-member Legislative Assembly in the Union Territory, the Congress had made government with 15 members along with the DMK's 3 members and one independent party member, that was just past the majority mark of 16. With resignation of four of its MLAs, the government and the opposition are both at 14. The Congress now has 10 MLAs and the government is now at 15 with one short of the majority mark.

The order read that the floor test will not be adjourned, delayed or suspended at any cost. "The floor test in pursuance of the above directions shall be concluded by 5 pm on 22.02.2021 and the proceedings shall not be adjourned/delayed or suspended at any cost,” the order said. If both the government and the opposition fall short of numbers to prove majority, the Union Territory will be headed by the President until the next assembly elections that are to be held in May.