In a jibe aimed at both Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday said that while the “real head” — the Chief Minister — was cowering in fear of the Centre, the Governor was exceeding his authority.
Tweeting on the recent inspections carried out by the Governor across the State, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Amused by Tamil Nadu Governor’s statement, Governor is only the ‘titular’ head of the executive, not the ‘real’ head. Since the real head, the Chief Minister, is cowering in fear of the central government, the Tamil Nadu Governor is exceeding his authority.”
The Raj Bhavan had issued a statement saying that the Governor, by virtue of being the head of the State executive as per the Constitution, had complete power to obtain any information connected with the administration of the State, and to visit various parts of the State without any restrictions.
It may be noted that Mr. Purohit’s meeting with officials in Coimbatore on November 14 triggered a political row, with Opposition parties condemning the exercise.
“To be worthy of the office he holds, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should instruct District Administrations to refuse to participate in meetings called by the Governor,” Mr. Chidambaram added.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also waded into the discussion. “BJP has no respect for democracy. Destroying constitutional bodies, killing people in name of religion and usurping power through LGs and Governors seems to be their strategy for 2019 elections,” he tweeted.
“In all opposition ruled states including Delhi, BJP is trying to directly run government through Governors and LGs. Governors and LGs are calling meetings of officers and issuing directions bypassing elected governments,” he added.
Reacting to the Raj Bhavan’s statement, DMK working president M.K. Stalin said that if the Governor continued to hold such review meetings, it would evoke protests from not only the DMK, but other parties as well.
