Shun confrontation with Centre: AIADMK to Puducherry govt

The AIADMK adviced Puducherry government not to indulge any longer in a spat with the NDA government at the Centre. AIADMK leader, A Anbalagan said that the Puducherry government should concentrate on the development of Union Territory rather than indulging in confrontation with the central government.

Puducherry: The AIADMK in Puducherry Sunday called on the Narayanasamy-led Congress government not to indulge any longer in confrontation with the NDA government at the Centre.

Addressing reporters here, the leader of the legislature wing of AIADMK, A Anbalagan said, "now that the BJP-led NDA has romped home for the second successive term to form the government under the leadership of Narendra Modi at the Centre, the Puducherry government should concentrate on the development of Union Territory."

He said only through cordial relations with the Centre could Puducherry make progress and bring the fruits of various welfare schemes to the people.

The newly elected Congress MP V Vaithilingam should also ensure that the demands raised by the Chief Minister for Statehood for Puducherry, inclusion of the Union Territory in the Central Finance Commission and generation of jobs for the youth during poll campaigns were taken up with the Centre, he added.

Referring to the tussle between Narayanasamy and Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, he said, "All these three years the Congress government had locked horns with the Lt Governor and also with the Centre which did not help Puducherry in any manner."

The territorial government should focus on the requirements of the Union Territory without any longer encouraging confrontation.

Taking strong exception to the 4.5 per cent rise in power tariff announced for consumers in the Union Territory, Anbalagan said the rise should be revoked as it would cause hardships to the poor and also middle-income groups of consumers.