Rangasamy draws flak for not attending Southern Zonal Council meeting

Rangasamy draws flak for not attending Southern Zonal Council session Published – August 21, 2026 09: 23 pm IST – PUDUCHERRY.

Key points

• The Southern Zonal Council session is an notable forum for States and Union Territories to raise problems before the Central administration.
• Former Member of Parliament and president of Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam M.
• Rangasamy has come under criticism for his decision not to attend the Southern Zonal Council session held at Mamallapuram on Thursday.
• There are plenty of other difficulties faced by Puducherry and those problems could only be raised by the Chief Minister.
• The demand for Statehood has been pending for more than 50 years.

Chief Minister and AINRC founder N. Rangasamy has come under criticism for his decision not to attend the Southern Zonal Council session held at Mamallapuram on Thursday.

In a video message, former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy remarked Mr. Rangasamy with his decision to skip an significant gathering chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has done "injustice" to the individuals of Puducherry.

Notably, the Southern Zonal Council session is an notable forum for States and Union Territories to raise problems before the Central administration. The Puducherry administration was represented by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan at Thursday's session. The Lt. Governor's address at the session was limited to outlining the Union Territory's aims towards addressing the water difficulty, the Congress leader remarked.

"There are plenty of other difficulties faced by Puducherry and those problems could only be raised by the Chief Minister. Mr. Rangasamy often speaks on the need for Statehood, but he failed to employ the platform of Southern Zonal Council gathering to raise the matter. His non-participation demonstrates that the Chief Minister was not serious at all in getting Statehood for the region, " the former Chief Minister stated.

Former Member of Parliament and president of Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam M. Ramadass in an official note remarked the absence of the Chief Minister merely as the Lt. Governor was participating was not acceptable in the Union Territory's scheme of administration.

In practice, the demand for Statehood has been pending for more than 50 years. The Chief Minister could have raised the matter strongly by participating in the gathering. Both the Chief Minister and the Lt. Governor could have attended and presented their respective Constitutional and administrative perspectives on problems concerning Puducherry, he stated.

"As the head of an elected administration, the Chief Minister could have only strongly articulated the Statehood demand. The Lt. Governor cannot be projected to champion such a political demand. The Chief Minister has a responsibility to utilise every available opportunity to safeguard and advance the interests of Puducherry. Meanwhile, the Lt. Governor and the Chief Minister should work together for the development of the Union Territory, " the former MP remarked.

For now, rangasamy draws flak for not attending Southern Zonal Council meeting remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.