Puducherry: Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy (left) interacts with lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan at a ceremony at Kamban Kalaiyarang, in Puducherry. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy on Thursday once again called for statehood for the Union territory, ahead of the assembly elections slated for April.Rangasamy was responding to remarks by opposition DMK leaders R Siva and AMH Nazeem, who urged that the demand for statehood should be pursued “without let-up.” Puducherry has remained a Union territory since the former French settlements merged with India in 1962.The chief minister highlighted the “hindrance” that the Union territory status poses to the elected government’s decision-making. The status means that in Puducherry, key powers are exercised by the lieutenant governor, who is a central government appointee, rather than the elected chief minister, limiting the authority of the local administration.“Lack of powers for the elected government under Puducherry’s current Union Territory status has been a major obstacle, preventing the ministry from taking swift decisions and implementing programmes. My party (All India NR Congress) would support the statehood demand if there is a collective consensus among all legislators and political parties,” Rangasamy said in the House, according to PTI.He added that Puducherry had achieved “significant development” over the past five years, despite the challenges arising from the limited powers of the elected government.“As today’s assembly session marks the final sitting of the five-year House, I feel fully satisfied that we were able to meet the aspirations and expectations of the people, thanks to the cooperation of all sections,” Rangasamy stated.Both Siva, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, and Nazeem expressed the DMK’s “full support” for Puducherry’s demand for statehood.“To achieve statehood, we will back any decision, including boycotting the forthcoming Assembly elections, if necessary, as statehood is crucial for the welfare of the people,” they said.Following the chief minister’s response to members’ views on statehood and other matters, Speaker R Selvam adjourned the House sine die.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFirst Post-Hasina Polls See BNP-Jamaat Clash, Violence, Low Turnout As Yunus Promises New BangladeshZero Tariff Available To India Too: Goyal On Rahul’s ‘Textiles’ Claim On US-Bangladesh Trade DealHaryana: 25-Year-Old Woman Crushed To Death After Drunk Cop Rams Car Into E-Rickshaw In AmbalaRahul Gandhi Faces Motion In Lok Sabha As BJP MP Seeks Termination And Lifetime Ban From ParliamentRijiju Shares ‘Illegal Video’ Of Speaker’s Chamber, Says ‘Congress MPs Abused, Threatened PM Modi’UN Flags Jaish-e-Mohammed Role In Delhi Red Fort Attack Raises Alarm Over Masood Azhar’s Women Wing’Let Us Do It Together’: Rahul Gandhi Cuts In As Ashwini Vaishnaw, Pralhad Joshi Speak To ReportersIndia Reducing Russian Oil Trade: Trump’s Aide Claims At Key US Hearing, Moscow Calls Out Washington’Decades Of Trust Undone’: US Congress Blasts Trump On India, Quad Ties, Wants Sergio Gor To TestifyDid India Attack Kirana Hills In Pakistan? IAF Vice Chief Clarifies Op Sindoor Terror Targets123PhotostoriesTop 8 most expensive homes in DelhiMahashivratri 2026 tips based on your date of birth8 anti-inflammatory soups that can heal from inside outTop 5 real estate hotspots in Hyderabad: A 2026 investment guideDelhi gets its first Yamuna river cruise from Feb 20 — here’s what to expectBest Bollywood survival thrillers to watch ahead of Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gaurav’s ‘Tu Yaa Main’ releaseInside Bishnoi gang’s hit list: Sidhu Moosewala, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Rohit Shetty & moreDelhi Metro’s Magenta line: 89km, 65 stations, seamless connectivity across the city7 ways to add hydrating coconut water to daily meals7 best paintings to place at your home entrance, as per Vastu Shastra123Hot PicksBharat bandh todayGold Silver PricesBangladesh Elections 2026Bharat BandhIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingSteve SmithLindsey Vonn QuoteSarla MaheshwariJuraj SlafkovskyLeBron JamesElvis MerzlikinsMilano CortinaKayla NicoleJulia SimonClash Royale Controversy
NEW DELHI: Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy on Thursday once again called for statehood for the Union territory, ahead of the assembly elections slated for April.Rangasamy was responding to remarks by opposition DMK leaders R Siva and AMH Nazeem, who urged that the demand for statehood should be pursued “without let-up.” Puducherry has remained a Union territory since the former French settlements merged with India in 1962.The chief minister highlighted the “hindrance” that the Union territory status poses to the elected government’s decision-making. The status means that in Puducherry, key powers are exercised by the lieutenant governor, who is a central government appointee, rather than the elected chief minister, limiting the authority of the local administration.“Lack of powers for the elected government under Puducherry’s current Union Territory status has been a major obstacle, preventing the ministry from taking swift decisions and implementing programmes. My party (All India NR Congress) would support the statehood demand if there is a collective consensus among all legislators and political parties,” Rangasamy said in the House, according to PTI.He added that Puducherry had achieved “significant development” over the past five years, despite the challenges arising from the limited powers of the elected government.“As today’s assembly session marks the final sitting of the five-year House, I feel fully satisfied that we were able to meet the aspirations and expectations of the people, thanks to the cooperation of all sections,” Rangasamy stated.Both Siva, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, and Nazeem expressed the DMK’s “full support” for Puducherry’s demand for statehood.“To achieve statehood, we will back any decision, including boycotting the forthcoming Assembly elections, if necessary, as statehood is crucial for the welfare of the people,” they said.Following the chief minister’s response to members’ views on statehood and other matters, Speaker R Selvam adjourned the House sine die.
