Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan stated on Wednesday that she was keen on contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Puducherry. She reiterated though that it was up to PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to take the decision on this.
At a press conference, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said, “My desire is to be a people’s representative but I will abide by the decision of the PM and home minister. This place (Puducherry) has historic association with people from other states like Sri Aurobindo and Subramaniya Bharathi. I have always gone beyond my role as L-G and functioned as a sister to the people here. Considering me as an outsider really hurts me.”
Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan completed three years as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and she released her book ‘Reaching New Horizons’, which was about her time in Puducherry, on this occasion. She spoke about coming to Puducherry during the Covid pandemic and how she had helped the people there. “When the whole of India was at the peak of Corona and Puducherry was in a political frenzy, I took charge as the Deputy Governor of Puducherry. When the President’s Rule was in force in Puducherry, the way we faced Corona with only two advisers was appreciated all over India. That was because I was not a governor here but a doctor. At that time, the price of petrol and diesel was first reduced in Puducherry. While oxygen scarcity prevailed everywhere, Puducherry did not.”
“Similarly, when there was a shortage of vaccines in other places, we gave it to Puducherry without any shortage. We also took to the streets and urged everyone to get vaccinated. Although this is my duty, I am happy to share it with you. But my journey was not smooth; it was a very tough journey. I have come to this stage after facing many harsh situations. I would like to thank Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. As the Governor of two states, Puducherry and Telangana, I have the honour of working with many Chief Ministers,” she stated.