29 members sworn in as MLAs in Puducherry Assembly

PUDUCHERRY: Protem Speaker V P Sivakolundhu today administered the oath of office to 29 of the 30 newly elected members of the 14th Puducherry Assembly on the opening day of the session.

While 21 members - 14 of ruling Congress, two of its ally DMK, the lone Independent member from Mahe and four from AIADMK were earlier sworn in as MLAs. Eight members of the opposition AINRC bloc had not turned up for the ceremony earlier.

However, seven of the eight AINRC members, including former Chief Minister N Rangasamy, were later administered the oath of office in the chamber of the Protem Speaker.

Secretary to the Assembly S Mohandas told PTI that S V Sugumaran, an AINRC member from Mangalam constituency could not be present as he was indisposed.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who is a non-member of the House, did not take the oath.

Sivakolundhu of the ruling Congress was inducted as Protem Speaker by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi yesterday.