Puducherry CM Rangasamy offers to resign MLA post for Statehood cause
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has offered to resign his MLA post to intensify the demand for statehood for the Union Territory. The proposal emerged during a budget discussion in the Assembly, highlighting ongoing political friction between local leadership and the central government.
Why it matters
The statehood debate is a critical issue in Indian regional politics, affecting the administrative autonomy and governance of Puducherry.
When the Statehood issue came up for discussion for the second consecutive day in the Puducherry Assembly on Friday (August 28, 2026), Chief Minister and AINRC founder N. Rangasamy went to the extent of offering to resign his MLA post to fight for the cause.
“I am ready to resign my MLA post, and if there is an assurance that Statehood will be given, we can go to Delhi to take up the demand with the Central government,” the Chief Minister said, as members raised the issue of Statehood during the general discussion on the Budget in the Assembly.
The Chief Minister’s response came after BJP legislator A. John Kumar raked up the Statehood subject while participating in the discussion. Mr. Kumar said that the demand for Statehood might not be feasible and hence, the Assembly should request the Central government to accord ‘Special Category Status’ to Puducherry.
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