A delegation of legislators led by Chief Minister submitting a memorandum to Vice President Venkaiah Naidu seeking Statehood to the Union Territory. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement more-in On day two of their visit to New Delhi, the delegation of legislators led by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday met Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal and national leaders of various political parties seeking support for Statehood. Among the national leaders the delegation met included, chief of Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar, leader of Samajwadi Party Ramgopal Yadav and leader of Telugu Desam Party leader C. M. Ramesh. The delegation would wind up their visit on Wednesday after calling on Congress President Rahul Gandhi and leaders of various other political parties. Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister K. Lakshminarayanan told The Hindu that the delegation’s interaction with political party leaders was very positive. The leaders had extended their support for the Union Territory’s bid for Statehood, he said. The delegation was able to apprise the leaders of the administrative and financial problems faced by the Union Territory. The Finance Minister was able to understand the financial constraints faced by Puducherry due to the dip in assistance from the Centre. The Central grant had come down to 25% after a separate account was opened for the UT, he said. “The Minister has agreed to look into the financial problems faced by Puducherry. It was a very fruitful meeting,” the Congress leader said. Resolution passed The government decided to take a delegation to Delhi after the legislators cutting across partylines spoke in the Assembly on the need to get more powers for an elected government. The Assembly had also passed a resolution seeking Statehood for the UT.

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