Bhubaneswar: The ongoing tussle between Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and Lt Governor Kiran Bedi came out in the open after Narayanasamy left Bedi’s ‘at home' reception’ without felicitating Padma Awardees.
According to reports, Pudhucherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi had hosted the ‘at home reception’ on the occasion of 71st Republic Day and several invitees had attended the event.
However, Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy left the event in a huff after he was asked to felicitate the two Padma Awardees author Manoj Das and Terrocotta Artist, VK Munusamy.
According to reports, Narayanasamy left the event stating that he was not informed in advance about the plans to felicitate the Padma award winners.
Eminent bilingual litterateur Manoj Das, who hails from Odisha, said that “Lt Governor felicitated me and another artist. CM claimed that it was an important event but he was not informed about it.”
Das further stated that the incident is the fallout of the long-standing power tussle between the CM and Lt Governor.
In a tweet, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi tweeted, “The Honorable CM left the At Home Event shouting at @ashapondy comptroller Raj Nivas for requesting him to present a shawl to Two Padma Awardees saying it was without his prior permission. His colleagues also followed him.”
“They ought to express their regret to two Padma Awardees, the J&K & Arunachal Pradesh artists sent by Govt of India also. Besides to the office of Lt Gov for disrespecting the sanctity of a national event. This is not a desirable behaviour from persons in responsible positions,” Bedi tweeted on January 27.
Meanwhile, Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy along with education minister R Kamalakannan paid a visit to Manoj Das’ residence and felicitated him on Tuesday.