11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Puducherry CM fabricated rift with Lt Governor to push liquor unit approval: Congress leader V Narayanasamy
PUDUCHERRY: Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has accused Chief Minister N Rangaswamy of fabricating a political rift with the Lieutenant Governor to push through liquor-related approval.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Narayanasamy alleged that Rangaswamy's confrontation with Lt Governor K. Kailashnathan—ostensibly over the appointment of the Director of Health and Family Welfare—was a smokescreen to pressure Raj Nivas into clearing files related to licencing of more than six liquor blending and bottling units (BBU) and over 100 liquor shops and bars.
'There is no real dispute about the Director's appointment. It's just a cover. The real goal is to get these liquor files approved,' Narayanasamy said. He claimed the Chief Minister was willing to do anything to retain power and had no intention of stepping down over governance failures.
Narayanasamy further alleged that Rs 90 crore had exchanged hands for granting approvals to the new liquor units. Citing BJP MLA Kalyanasundaram's statement in the Assembly, he said Rs 10 crore was allegedly received as kickback for a single BBU licence.
