Sat Sep 20 10:15:19 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Former Puducherry Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy criticized Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan for participating in birthday celebrations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi organized by the BJP. Narayanasamy deemed the Lt. Governor’s involvement “inappropriate,” alleging political activism and questioning the capacity in which he attended the event. He also criticized former IFS officer Sathyamoorthy for mobilizing people enrolled in the MNREGA scheme for the celebration and accused the Central government and AINRC-BJP government of increasing Puducherry’s debt burden.

**News Article:**

**Puducherry Congress Leader Accuses Lt. Governor of Political Bias Over Modi Birthday Celebration**

**PUDUCHERRY, India -** A political row has erupted in Puducherry as former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy of the Indian National Congress has sharply criticized Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan for participating in birthday celebrations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

At a press conference held Saturday, September 20, 2025, Narayanasamy accused the Lt. Governor of “political activism,” stating that his presence at the BJP-sponsored event was “inappropriate” given his constitutional position.

“The Lt. Governor should clarify in what capacity he attended the birthday celebrations of Mr. Modi,” Narayanasamy stated. “While government-related programs are acceptable, attending BJP-sponsored programs is not proper.” He indicated that the Congress party might pursue legal action.

The former Chief Minister also took aim at former Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sathyamoorthy, alleging he mobilized people enrolled in the MNREGA job guarantee scheme to attend the event. He accused Sathyamoorthy of leveraging his former government contacts for political purposes.

Beyond the birthday controversy, Narayanasamy also criticized the Central government and the current AINRC-BJP government for the Union Territory’s rising debt, which he claims has ballooned from ₹9,100 crore in 2021 to ₹13,084 crore, according to the latest CAG report. He further alleged the Centre denied Puducherry a ₹2,000 crore grant for infrastructure projects.

The BJP and Lt. Governor’s office have yet to respond to the allegations. The controversy is likely to further inflame tensions between the Congress party and the ruling BJP in Puducherry.

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