One more MLA submits notice for moving no-confidence motion against Speaker in Puducherry

Political turmoil in Puducherry as Independent legislators seek no-confidence motion against Speaker, raising uncertainty in the Union Territory.

With one more Independent legislator submitting a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against Speaker R. Selvam, the political scenario in the Union Territory is turning volatile once again.

After Independent legislator Nehru alias Kuppusamy, a supporter of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s All India N. R Congress in the ruling National Democratic Alliance bloc in the Puducherry Assembly submitted notice seeking a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, another Independent MLA P. Angalane has made a similar move against Mr. Selvam. 

Mr. Angalane, a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party within the NDA, has sent the notice through a registered post to the Assembly Secretary for moving the resolution against Mr. Selvam. According to a government source, the Assembly Secretariat has received Mr. Angalane’s notice on Friday. 

The issue of no-confidence against the Speaker has assumed a serious proportion following the decision of Mr.Angalane, as he was one of the three Independents who are in the camp of three disgruntled BJP MLAs — A.John Kumar, his son Richards John Kumar and P.M.L. Kalyanasundaram. 

The three BJP legislators had been following a different political line and had even pitched for an alternate front to fight the next Assembly election. Their stand would be crucial in determining the fate of the Speaker. With two Independents alone, there was no threat to Mr. Selvam but if more legislators joined the bandwagon, there would be a crisis, say political observers.

As per Section 7 (2) (c) of the Union Territories Act 1963, a member wishing to give a notice of a resolution seeking removal of the Speaker should give it in writing at least 14 days before. And according to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, a member should get the support of at least one-fifth of the total number of the “then” members of the House to move the resolution. 

When coming to the removal, the Act says the Speaker could be removed from his office by a resolution of the Assembly passed by a majority of all the “then” members of the House. The Puducherry Legislative Assembly has a strength of 33 members — 30 elected and 3 nominated.