Sat May 17 10:23:52 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam refuted claims made by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy regarding disagreements between the current Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister on administrative issues. Namassivayam accused Narayanasamy of spreading misinformation due to his inability to accept the successful functioning of the AINRC-BJP government and its welfare schemes. He emphasized the strong support of the Lieutenant Governor for the government’s initiatives, including the 10% reservation for NEET-qualified government school students, with plans to extend it to other higher education courses. The remarks were made after a Tiranga Victory Rally held at Pondicherry University, attended by both the Lieutenant Governor and the Home Minister. The rally was held to express solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces for the military strikes against Pakistan in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

**News Article:**

**Puducherry Home Minister Dismisses Claims of Rift Between Lt. Governor and Chief Minister**

**PUDUCHERRY, May 17, 2025** – Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam has strongly denied allegations made by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy suggesting discord between Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. The Home Minister accused the Congress leader of attempting to mislead the public and undermining the current administration.

“Mr. Narayanasamy is struggling to accept the smooth functioning and success of the AINRC-BJP government,” Namassivayam stated to reporters following a Tiranga Victory Rally held at Pondicherry University. “His claims of differences of opinion are simply untrue.”

The Home Minister highlighted the numerous welfare schemes relaunched and initiated under the current government, including the reopening of ration shops, which had been stalled during Narayanasamy’s tenure. He emphasized that these achievements would not have been possible without the full support of the Lieutenant Governor.

Namassivayam specifically pointed to the Lieutenant Governor’s active involvement in expanding educational opportunities for government school students. “The Lt. Governor is pushing for the swift implementation of a 10% reservation for government school students in all higher education institutions,” Namassivayam, who also serves as Education Minister, explained. “He even contacted me to inquire about the progress of the relevant file. This demonstrates his commitment and support, not discord.”

The Tiranga Victory Rally, which both the Lieutenant Governor and Home Minister attended, was held to show solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces following military strikes against Pakistan in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

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