Former Puducherry CM questions Speaker over projected cost of proposed Assembly complex
Former Puducherry Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy on Friday (June 6, 2025) questioned Speaker R. Selvam for projecting a huge sum of ₹675 crore for the government's proposal to build a new Assembly complex in the Union Territory (UT).
'The Speaker has projected such a high figure with ulterior motives. For the geographical size and present strength of the Assembly (30 elected and three nominated MLAs), the amount is disproportionately huge. Public money cannot be utilised for lavish expenditure. The projected amount could be used for public good,' he said, addressing a press conference in the UT.
The Speaker had claimed that the Chief Secretary was putting obstacles in the way of the ₹675-crore project, he said, adding that Mr. Selvam had been pursuing the project for constructing a new Assembly complex since the day he assumed office.
'A few months after Mr. Selvam assumed office, he had told the media that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lay the foundation for the complex. At that time, he had projected ₹300 crore for the Assembly complex and now, it has gone up to ₹675 crore. During our tenure, we had proposed the construction of a new Assembly at a cost of ₹200 crore, and many States in the Northeast have constructed new Assemblies for around ₹200 crore,' he said.
He also questioned Mr. Selvam for his remarks that Chief Minister N. Rangasamy skipped the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi as he generally 'avoided' taking a flight. The Speaker had also said that on the day of NITI Aayog meeting, the Chief Minister had to 'perform puja' at his temple in Gorimedu.
'Mr. Selvam, as a representative of the CM, gave these two reasons for Mr. Rangasamy's absence from the NITI Aayog meeting. The reasons cited by the Speaker sound flimsy and are laughable. The Chief Minister has insulted the people of Puducherry by skipping such an important meeting, where he could have raised Statehood issue and other important subjects concerning the UT,' he said.
Responding to Mr. Rangasamy's decision to skip a question on the future of AINRC-BJP alliance during a recent press conference, the Congress leader said Mr. Rangasamy seems disinterested in continuing the alliance with the BJP. 'If he decides to break the alliance with the BJP, the Chief Minister's AINRC will vanish from the political landscape of Puducherry. He will not have the courage to break the alliance,' he said.
The Congress was fully prepared to face the next Assembly elections with confidence, he added.
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