Puducherry 2026 Elections: Recalling the 2021 Political Crisis That Toppled Congress Government
As Puducherry prepares for assembly elections in 2026, political observers recall the dramatic events of February 2021. That month witnessed a significant political crisis that ultimately brought down the Congress-led coalition government in the Union Territory.
The Floor Test That Sealed the Government's Fate
On February 22, 2021, the Puducherry legislative assembly conducted a crucial floor test. This test determined the fate of the Congress-led coalition government under Chief Minister V Narayanasamy. The government faced mounting pressure as its numbers dwindled in the assembly.
Resignations That Weakened the Congress Alliance
Since January 2021, four Congress legislators had resigned from both their assembly seats and the party. These resignations severely weakened Narayanasamy's alliance government. The coalition's strength dropped to just 14 members in the 33-seat assembly. The effective strength at that time stood at 28 members after accounting for vacancies.
Sudden Removal of Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi
In a surprising development on February 16, 2021, the central government removed Kiran Bedi from her position as Puducherry's lieutenant governor. Bedi, a former IPS officer, had served in the role since 2016. Her removal came amidst the growing political instability in the territory.
New LG Orders the Crucial Floor Test
Following Bedi's removal, Tamilisai Soundararajan received additional charge as Puducherry's lieutenant governor. Soundararajan, who was serving as Telangana's governor at the time, promptly issued orders for the floor test to proceed. This decision set the stage for the government's ultimate collapse.
Congress Defectors Join the BJP
Among the Congress legislators who resigned, two prominent figures - A Namassivayam and E Theeppainthan - quickly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Their defection represented a significant political shift in Puducherry's landscape.
Another Congress MLA Switches Sides
A John Kumar, the fourth Congress MLA to resign from the assembly, also joined the BJP shortly after his resignation. Kumar's resignation had directly prompted Lieutenant Governor Soundararajan to order the floor test. His move to the BJP further strengthened the opposition's position.
The Final Blow Before the Floor Test
Just one day before the scheduled floor test, another Congress MLA and one member from ally DMK resigned from the assembly. These last-minute resignations reduced the government's strength to merely 11 members. The opposition, meanwhile, commanded 14 votes in the house.
When the floor test occurred on February 22, Narayanasamy's government faced inevitable defeat. The chief minister immediately resigned from his position following the test results.
Aftermath and Accusations
After his resignation, Narayanasamy publicly accused opposition parties - specifically the BJP and All India NR Congress - of orchestrating his government's downfall. He claimed they employed unfair tactics to destabilize his administration.
President's Rule and Subsequent Elections
Following the government's collapse, President's Rule was imposed in Puducherry. This period of central administration continued until assembly elections took place in April 2021. The National Democratic Alliance emerged victorious in those elections, forming the new government in the Union Territory.
As Puducherry approaches the 2026 assembly elections, political analysts continue to study the 2021 crisis. Many see it as a pivotal moment that reshaped the territory's political dynamics. The events demonstrated how quickly political fortunes can change through defections, resignations, and strategic maneuvers.
The crisis also highlighted the significant role that lieutenant governors play in Union Territories' political processes. The sudden removal of Kiran Bedi and her replacement with Tamilisai Soundararajan proved crucial in determining the timing and outcome of the floor test.
For the Congress party, the 2021 crisis represented a major setback in Puducherry. The defection of multiple MLAs to the BJP weakened their organizational structure in the territory. As 2026 elections approach, all parties will likely reference these events during their campaigns.
