Kiran Bedi and AIADMK MLA in public spat at government event

PUDUCHERRY: The150th birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday was marred by the antics of AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan. At the event, public works minister A Namassivayam declared the Union territory of Puducherry open defecation-free under the Swachh Bharat Mission in the presence of lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi.


A few minutes before the event, which was held in his constituency, Anbalagan learned that he would not be addressing the audience. He picked up an argument with minister Namassivayam and local administration secretary P Jawahar. Namassivayam pacified him and requested him to join the dais. The MLA levelled a series of charges against the Congress government alleging that the government had been neglecting his constituency, which is the tail-end of all drains leading to the sea. He charged that the administration had come to a standstill due to the tussle between the council of ministers and the administration.

Bedi, who was scheduled to attend another function immediately after the celebrations, directed an official to hand him a note requesting him to wind up his address.

After reading the note, Anbalagan gave it back to the official and asked him why he should cut short his address. He continued his tirade against the government.

A few minutes later, Bedi sent another official with a note. Without even reading the note, Anbalagan this time folded it and kept in his pocket. A visibly upset Bedi then went straight to the podium and asked him to stop addressing the gathering.

Undeterred, Anbalagan continued. Bedi asked the sound engineer to switch off the mike, infuriating the MLA and leading to an ugly spat between the two.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.