Puducherry: Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy (left) interacts with lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan at a ceremony at Kamban Kalaiyarang, in Puducherry. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy on Thursday once again called for statehood for the Union territory, ahead of the assembly elections slated for April.Rangasamy was responding to remarks by opposition DMK leaders R Siva and AMH Nazeem, who urged that the demand for statehood should be pursued “without let-up.” Puducherry has remained a Union territory since the former French settlements merged with India in 1962.The chief minister highlighted the “hindrance” that the Union territory status poses to the elected government’s decision-making. The status means that in Puducherry, key powers are exercised by the lieutenant governor, who is a central government appointee, rather than the elected chief minister, limiting the authority of the local administration.“Lack of powers for the elected government under Puducherry’s current Union Territory status has been a major obstacle, preventing the ministry from taking swift decisions and implementing programmes. My party (All India NR Congress) would support the statehood demand if there is a collective consensus among all legislators and political parties,” Rangasamy said in the House, according to PTI.He added that Puducherry had achieved “significant development” over the past five years, despite the challenges arising from the limited powers of the elected government.“As today’s assembly session marks the final sitting of the five-year House, I feel fully satisfied that we were able to meet the aspirations and expectations of the people, thanks to the cooperation of all sections,” Rangasamy stated.Both Siva, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, and Nazeem expressed the DMK’s “full support” for Puducherry’s demand for statehood.“To achieve statehood, we will back any decision, including boycotting the forthcoming Assembly elections, if necessary, as statehood is crucial for the welfare of the people,” they said.Following the chief minister’s response to members’ views on statehood and other matters, Speaker R Selvam adjourned the House sine die.