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New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the Congress was committed to granting full statehood to Puducherry and the party does not want it to be run from Delhi.
Addressing a public meeting here in Puducherry, he said his party does not want the Lieutenant Governor here to rule like a king.
“I feel that the state is not being run by its own people. It is clear that the government in Puducherry is not an expression of the will of its people but is imposed from Delhi,” he said, adding, “There has always been a demand for full statehood, which was promised by the BJP but hasn’t been given.”
He said the BJP runs Puducherry by remote control, with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) acting as a means to bypass the will of the people.
“Regional leaders are being sidelined, and local body elections are not being allowed to be held,” he said.
Referring to the poor state of affairs, he said that Puducherry has become a hub for fake medicines, with massive fake drug manufacturing taking place, yet no action is being taken. These drugs are being sent across the country, he said, adding this isn’t just corruption, it’s corruption with murder included.
The Leader of Opposition also referred to the prevalence of corruption in Puducherry, pointing out that 30 per cent commission is taken on all contracts. He said liquor licences are sold for commissions, and liquor outlets are placed near schools and places of worship. He also accused the Puducherry government of grabbing temple lands.
Referring to the deteriorating law and order situation, he said, “People are afraid to walk at night, and women and children feel vulnerable.”
Expressing grave concern over the prevalence of drug abuse in Puducherry, he said the Lieutenant Governor himself has admitted that drug abuse is rising rapidly among school students. “They know the problem exists, but nothing is being done to address it,” he added.
He also spoke about his personal connect with Puducherry before announcing several guarantees, including Rs 2,000 monthly support for unemployed youngsters, creation of 30,000 new jobs in the private and public sectors, free bus travel for women in Puducherry buses, relaxation of the upper age limit for entry into government jobs up to 40 years, and Rs 20 lakh health insurance cover for every family.
“The most important thing is that the people of Puducherry get a voice in the government, as we do not want Puducherry to be ruled by a Lieutenant Governor like a king,” he said, adding, “we want the people of Puducherry to run this beautiful state.” He said the local body elections, which have been delayed for a long time, would be held within six months of the formation of a Congress-led government.
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