Puducherry: The Congress in its manifesto released on Tuesday has said it will grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry if it came to power in the Centre.
“Congress promises to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, to make it clear that the Lieutenant Governor shall act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers except in matters concerning the 3 reserved subjects”, the manifesto states.
With the official announcement, the Congress party in the Union Territory would be projecting the long term demand for statehood in the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
Though Puducherry has a legislative assembly it does not enjoy the powers of a full state. The Congress government who has been at loggerheads with the offices of the Lt Governor is on the opinion that the elected government here faces a crisis as it could not exercise its democratic right and implement people welfare measures as Puducherry being a Union territory functions under the direct control of the Union government.
The political parties finds statehood for Puducherry as the only option for the government elected by people to function independently
The ruling Congress, along with its alliance partners, took the battle for statehood for Puducherry to the national capital by organising a protest on 4 January this year.
