Puducherry Assembly Ends Abruptly After Just 45 Minutes

The Puducherry Legislative Assembly’s one-day session ended abruptly on Thursday, adjourned sine die after just 45 minutes amid chaotic protests by opposition MLAs. The session, meant to address key legislative business, was derailed as DMK and Congress legislators, joined by Independent member G Nehru alias Kuppusamy, staged a dramatic sit-in on the assembly floor, demanding a longer session to discuss pressing public issues.

The proceedings began solemnly with Speaker R Selvan delivering obituary references for notable figures, including Pope Francis, former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, and former AIADMK legislator K Sivalokanathan. Members observed a two-minute silence in their memory. However, tensions escalated when opposition MLAs, led by DMK’s R Siva, squatted near the Speaker’s podium, protesting the brief session duration. Siva highlighted critical issues like the lack of safe drinking water and inadequate healthcare insurance for the poor, accusing the government of sidestepping public concerns.

Nehru, rushing to the well of the House, confronted Chief Minister N Rangasamy with a memorandum listing public grievances, intensifying the unrest. Despite the Speaker’s appeals to resume order and his tributes to newly elected Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, the opposition persisted, leading to their expulsion. Watch and ward staff physically removed Siva and DMK MLA R Senthil Kumar, while other DMK and Congress members walked out, continuing their protest in the Members’ lobby.

Also Read: Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition Uproar Over

With the opposition absent, the House swiftly passed several bills tabled by Rangasamy, including the Puducherry Ease of Doing Business (Service Delivery) Bill, the Puducherry Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, and amendments to the Puducherry Municipalities, Village and Commune Panchayats, and Town and Country Planning Acts. A resolution welcoming the “historic” GST reforms from the 56th GST Council meeting was also adopted unanimously, with Rangasamy praising the reforms for benefiting families, farmers, and the middle class while boosting state revenues.

The session concluded with the Speaker felicitating three newly nominated members—V Selvam, G N S Rajasekaran, and E Theeppainthan—before adjourning the House sine die. The opposition’s absence during the legislative proceedings underscored deep divisions, raising questions about the government’s commitment to addressing public concerns in the union territory.

Also Read: Monsoon Session: Lok Sabha Adjourned Over Gaming Bill, Bihar Rolls