AIADMK boycotts 'at home' reception hosted by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi

Kiran Bedi

Opposition AIADMK MLAs today boycotted the 'at home' reception hosted by Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi at the Raj Nivas on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day celebrations, protesting against her 'style of functioning'.

The boycott by the four AIADMK MLAs was announced earlier by party legislature leader A Anbalagan to protest against 'style of functioning of Kiran Bedi'.

Principal Opposition AINRC MLAs too were conspicuous by their absence, but the reason for it could not be ascertained immediately. Their absence raised eyebrows as AINRC, along with BJP, has been defending Bedi over attacks by ruling Congress and AIADMK on her 'style of functioning.'

Incidentally, most MLAs, including those of Congress and AINRC, had boycotted the customary at home reception hosted by Bedi last year on the occasion of Independence Day.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy alone had made a brief appearance at the event, also attended by BJP functionaries. The Congress government and Bedi have been at loggerheads over a host of issues, including medical admissions and induction of three nominated MLAs, ever since she assumed office in 2016.

Narayanasamy had said on January 24 that he would soon meet the President and Prime Minister to apprise them of the "undemocratic style of functioning" of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and her 'interference' in routine administration.

Today, the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues, the Speaker V Vaithilingam, DMK legislator R Siva,a BJP delegation headed by local unit president V Saminathan, French Consul General Catherine Suard,top officials and representatives of various organisations were among those who attended Bedi presented appreciation certificates to those who did services in various developmental and literary activities.