உரை....!

 Speech...!

I was the first victim of the Modi government's use of a Lieutenant Governor against my government, preventing me from functioning with the powers vested in an elected Chief Minister.

The Constitution states that day-to-day administration is to be run by the elected government and the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers' decisions are binding, and the Governor or Lieutenant Governor has no independent powers.

During my four years and ten months as CM, Dr. Kiran Bedi, the appointed Lt. Governor of Puducherry, did not approve our Cabinet's decisions. She rejected files I sent as Chief Minister for appointing officers, reversing decisions taken by the Cabinet.

Despite this, we fought back and did not surrender to uphold the Constitution.

This is how the Constitution is being crippled and constitutional provisions are being bypassed. Opposition-ruled states are not allowed to function as they should.

We must work together to ensure that the provisions embodied in the Constitution, including human rights, liberty, equality and fraternity are protected.

: Former CM of Puducherry @VNarayanasami ji on 'Separation of Powers and Democratic Accountability: Whither Federalism?' at the AICC Annual Legal Conclave

📍 Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

#CongressLawConclave2025