Puducherry BJP minister Sai Saravanakumar, three party MLAs resign

PUDUCHERRY: A BJP minister and three nominated MLAs of the party in the Union territory of Puducherry resigned on Friday, following directions from the party high command. All India NR Congress (AINRC), a Congress splinter group, and the BJP formed a coalition govt in Puducherry after they emerged victorious in the 2021 assembly polls.Adi dravidar welfare minister Sai Saravanakumar submitted his resignation letter to the chief minister, N Rangasamy, founder president of AINRC, stating that he was resigning as per the direction of the BJP high command. Rangasamy later confirmed that the lieutenant governor had accepted the minister's resignation.After the 2021 assembly elections, a coalition govt was formed under the leadership of the AINRC as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Two ministers and the deputy speaker were appointed from AINRC. The BJP was given two ministerial posts and the Speaker’s post. Sai Saravanakumar, BJP MLA from Oussudu constituency (General), was appointed as the minister for civil supplies.After serving three years in the civil supplies department, Saravanakumar was accused of corruption, following which his portfolio was changed. He was then appointed as minister for adi dravidar welfare and minority affairs.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, he said the BJP leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him the ministerial post. He added that the same leadership and Modi had asked him to resign. He said he is complying accordingly.Later in the day, Rangasamy submitted the resignation letter to the lieutenant governor. Speaking to the media, Rangasamy said Saravanakumar had given a letter requesting to be relieved, it was forwarded to the lieutenant governor, who accepted the resignation.Meanwhile, speaker Selvam said three nominated MLAs from the BJP had resigned from their posts to work for the party. They said the vacant posts would be filled by the first of next month. The resigned MLAs were nominated in 2021. The decision came after the BJP party’s Puducherry in-charge, Nirmal Kumar Surana, visited Puducherry and discussed with local party leaders.