Newly elected Puducherry MLAs sworn in by pro-tem speaker

PUDUCHERRY: Marking the official commencement of the new legislative term, the newly elected members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) of the Union territory of Puducherry took their oaths of office on Wednesday. AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan, who was appointed pro-tem speaker, administered the oath of office to the new legislators. The house includes both seasoned politicians and fresh faces representing various constituencies across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

All India NR Congress (AINRC) founder and chief minister N Rangasamy was among the prominent leaders who took the oath during the session. The ceremony witnessed high political drama, including unique gestures of allegiance, linguistic protests, and critical policy declarations by Rangasamy.

Representing the TVK, which won two seats, Manavely MLA B Ramu caused a stir in the house. While reading his oath in the name of God, he pulled out and displayed a photograph of TVK founder and Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay. Similarly, Embalam MLA E Mohandoss took his oath by swearing in the name of "God and NR" (referring to Rangasamy). DMK MLA Vignesh Kannan concluded his oath by chanting, "Kannan Pugazh Onguga" (Long live the glory of Kannan, his late father and minister P Kannan).

Addressing these deviations, Anbalagan clarified that several members had added personal remarks out of sheer enthusiasm, but affirmed that any words spoken beyond the official format of the oath would be expelled from the permanent assembly records.

In the most debated event of the session, Bahour DMK MLA R Senthil Kumar administered his oath of office in Malayalam. Senthil Kumar had initially submitted a formal request to the assembly secretariat to take his oath in French to highlight the language's unique historical status in the Union territory. However, assembly secretary J Dayalane denied the request, citing existing administrative protocols.

"I wanted to draw urgent attention to the current status and preservation of the French language in Puducherry. Since the speaker denied permission, I registered my protest and highlighted the issue by choosing to take my oath in Malayalam instead," Senthil Kumar told reporters post-ceremony.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Rangasamy congratulated the newly formed govt in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, expressing immense confidence in his counterpart Vijay. He announced plans to directly hold talks with Vijay to acquire adjacent lands located within the Tamil Nadu border to facilitate the expansion of the Puducherry airport.

He reiterated that his govt would aggressively pursue full statehood for the Union territory, expressing hope that the Prime Minister and the Union govt would favourably grant the status soon. Dismissing allegations made by former chief minister V Narayanasamy regarding a Rs 100-crore bribery racket for cabinet berths, Rangasamy stated that the govt is ready to launch a formal investigation if specific names and conversations are furnished.

The visitor’s gallery also saw prominent attendees, including Leema Rose, AIADMK MLA from Lalgudi, Trichy district, Tamil Nadu, who attended to watch her son, Kamaraj Nagar MLA Jose Charles Martin, take his oath. With the swearing-in of the legislators completed, the assembly has crossed its first constitutional milestone. Now the house will finalise the timeline for the speaker's election. The official schedule for filing nominations and conducting the vote will be formally announced shortly.