Stalin writes to Prez seeking action on guv, BJP hits back

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has written to President Droupadi Murmu against the “unconstitutional functioning” of governor R N Ravi, and accused him of “defaming” Tamil culture, indulging in “cheap politics” and stoking “communal hatred”.

- Divya Chandrababu

 

The chief minister, in his letter to the President on Saturday, also criticised the governor for his alleged involvement in “ideological and political conflict with the democratically elected Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and purported attempts “to topple the state government”.

Sharing a copy of the letter written in Tamil, on Twitter on Sunday, Stalin said: “I have written to Hon’ble @rashtrapatibhvn apprising about the unconstitutional functioning of the Tamil Nadu Governor, his disregard for elected government and the state legislature, and overreach in state affairs. The Governor’s acts of delaying assent to bills, interfering with police investigations, and promoting divisive ideologies are a threat to democracy. I trust the Hon’ble President will take appropriate action to protect the spirit of our Constitution.” There was no immediate response available from Raj Bhavan.

Both the state government and governor have been locked in a standoff over various issues for quite some time, including the latter’s pending assent to nearly a dozen bills. Of the nearly 21 bills, governor Ravi returned two to the House. The two bills were forwarded to the President as the House cleared them later again.