Page 36 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

In TamIl nadu, Raj Bhavan governance

wades InTo conTRoveRsy

Tamil Nadu governor threatens criminal action against anyone disturbing of the Modi government. The
governor’s actions and his
him and his work in districts. The opposition party, DMK and its working threats are only making him
president MK Stalin said they will dare the governor to walk the talk; say they unpopular and by extension,
will continue to protest “his interference” in governance, writes KV LaKshmana the central government and
the BJP. So, one does not really
know why the governor is
nexplicable is the word doing what he is doing, Ra-
from political analysts man said.
unable to figure out But perhaps to nullify
Tamil Nadu governor the perception that it was
I Banwarilal Purohit’s ag- sucking up to the Central
gressive posture and threats government and the BJP, the
of getting anyone thwarting Tamil Nadu government has
his work, including holding sought to block the Dams
review meetings with district Safety Bill, duly cleared by the
officials. If not anything, his union cabinet. Chief Minis-
threats have only given more ter Edapaddi Palaniswami
ammunition to the principal piloted a resolution asking
opposition party, the DMK to the Prime Minister Naren-
retaliate with equal and op- dra Modi to keep the bill in
posite aggression. abeyance till a consensus
“At best the governor is a was evolved over the issue
glorified rubber stamp,” dis- • aggressive moves Tamil Nadu with per the law.” The Office of by consultations with all the
missed DMK spokesperson A governor Banwarilal Purohit’s the governor was protected state governments.
Saravanan and said someone working style is seen as aggressive under Section 124 of IPC. The EPS-OPS government
was either misguiding the The Raj Bhavan state- also had to publicly take a
governor or the governor ment said: “whoever, with stand on this because of the
himself was misinterpreting nor or to the BJP-led central the intention of inducing or strong stand Amma, former
the law. The governor’s role in government,” Saravanan said. compelling the President of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
the state ends with the gov- “We will continue to hold India, or the Governor of any took. She was dead against
ernment formation and has black flag demonstrations and State, to exercise or refrain the Bill that would require
no role in governance, which other forms of protests if the from exercising in any man- TN government to give up
is the exclusive purview of governor continues with his ner any of the lawful powers control over its own Dams
the elected government. The review meetings,” Saravanan of such President or Gover- located in Kerala.
governor has no business to declared wondering as to why nor, assaults or wrongfully On the governor’s insist-
interfere in governance and the governor was insisting restrains, or attempts wrong- ence and threats, Raman
work of the elected govern- on doing something that is fully to restrain, or overawes, felt that the BJP was neither
ment, asserted Sarvanan against all conventions and by means of criminal force or helping itself nor the AIDMK.
echoing DMK working presi- established norms. The people the show of criminal force, or “The BJP knows it cannot win
dent MK Stalin’s strong views of Tamil Nadu are watching attempts so to overawe, such from Tamil Nadu. As the best-
on the issue. and by doing what the gover- President or Governor, shall case scenario, it would like the
“We are speaking for the nor is doing he is only adding be punished with imprison- party that wins from the state
Tamil Nadu government,” to the people’s ire as he is seen ment of either description for to support it in the Lok Sabha
Stalin had said before walk- as the representative of a gov- a term which may extend to after the general elections
ing out of the Tamil Nadu ernment that “worked against seven years, and shall also be during government forma-
assembly where he sought to the interests of Tamil Nadu.” liable to fine.” tion,” he said.
raise the issue of governor’s Which is why political Political analyst Suman When viewed thus, the
repeated visits to differ- analysts are perplexed over C Raman said he found the governor’s actions are surely
ent districts and the review the aggressively combative governor’s actions inexpli- foxing. The BJP local leaders
meetings he was holding stance of governor Purohit. cable but it was clear that he are forced to support the gov-
with district officials directly. The Raj Bhavan in Chennai was acting at the behest of the ernor but privately wonder
“This is clear interference in had come out with a tough central government. “But to whether this will do any good
governance but the AIADMK statement that “any attempt what purpose,” as it is a docile for the party.
government here has no guts to overawe or assault or use government in office in Tamil
to say anything to the gover- criminal force would be dealt Nadu that is doing the bidding letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 july 2018 36 www.Tehelka.com

36 ​​KV Lakshmana.indd 3 03/07/18 3:58 PM