The BJP and its allies will not stake claim to form government in Puducherry, sources said today, days after the Congress government collapsed in the union territory. Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has recommended President’s rule, according to sources.
The media also reported on late Tuesday that Ms Soundararajan has sent her letter of recommendation which will be cleared in the cabinet meeting today.
The V Narayanasamy government lost power on Monday, just three months before the assembly election, after the Congress-DMK coalition fell short of the majority mark of 14 in the 26-member assembly after six resignations. Five Congress and one DMK MLA had quit. Two of the MLAs who quit Congress have switched to the BJP and more are expected to follow.
Mr Narayanasamy resigned after he lost a trust vote in the assembly last Thursday. Mr Narayanasamy accused the opposition BJP and NR Congress – the biggest opposition party – of bringing down his government and also blamed former Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi of “colluding with the opposition”. He resigned soon after delivering a speech in the assembly.
Soon after the Congress lost power, the NR Congress chief had denied it in an exclusive interview to NDTV. He also said he would consult his allies – including the BJP – and take a call on forming a government that will last only till the elections due by May.