Puducherry CM Narayanasamy loses vote of confidence in Assembly, resigns

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Monday failed to prove the majority in the territorial Assembly after the ruling government was reduced to the minority as the Congress MLAs deserted the party in the last few days. He had sought a confidence vote for his government, as the territorial Assembly met for a special session for a floor test of his five-year-old government.

Narayanasamy met Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and tendered his resignation. "Myself, ministers, Congress and DMK MLAs and independent legislator have tendered resignation and sought it be accepted," Narayanasamy said.

The DMK also suspended its Puducherry functionary K Venkatesan, who had resigned as MLA, for 'violating' party discipline. A fresh bout of resignations on Sunday took the tally in the last few days to three and the cumulative since last month to six. Subsequently, the party position in the assembly was: Congress (nine, including Speaker), DMK two, All-India NR Congress seven, AIADMK four, BJP three (all nominated with voting rights) and one independent who has supported the government. There are seven vacancies.