Puducherry Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has ordered an assembly floor test on February 22 to ascertain whether the Congress government in the union territory will enjoy a majority in view of a spate of resignations by the ruling party MLAs, which has reduced its strength to 14, reported PTI.

“The floor test in pursuance of the above directions shall be concluded by 5 pm on 22.02.2021 and the proceedings shall not be adjourned/delayed or suspended at any cost,” a statement released by Governor’s office said on Thursday.

Voting shall take place by show of hands and the entire proceedings be videographed, it said.

The strength of both the ruling and opposition camps stand at 14 in the 33-member house, including three nominated legislators of the BJP. The assembly has five vacancies.

Puducherry BJP President V Saminathan told ANI that Chief Minister V Narayanasamy is making false claims of him having a majority.

“Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has lost the majority and his claim of having the majority is false. His government will fall on February 22. All 14 Opposition MLAs are united,” Saminathan said.

Meanwhile, CM Narayanasamy said that he met the Lt Governor and discussed the assembly floor test.

“I met the Lieutenant Governor. We discussed that also,” Narayanasamy said.