Chennai, July 2 (IANS). DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday strongly criticized the inspection conducted by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar during his visit to Madurai. They alleged that it was unconstitutional and an encroachment on the powers of the elected state government.
In a statement, Udhayanidhi Stalin said the Governor behaved like an elected public representative despite holding a constitutional post and holding only additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. He also hit out at the ruling TVK government, alleging that it had allowed the governor to violate constitutional limits.
Drawing comparisons with the former AIADMK government, Udhayanidhi Stalin said the Governor’s inspection marks a return to the ‘Koovathur era’ practice of Governors conducting field inspections. He alleged that the present government has allowed a precedent to be set that has weakened the rights of Tamil Nadu.
He objected to the Governor’s reported statements that the Raj Bhavan would intervene if the state government failed to restore the Vaigai River. Udhayanidhi Stalin said that the maintenance of the Raj Bhavan is the responsibility of the Tamil Nadu government itself and the Governor’s comments were an undue display of power. He alleged that such statements were possible only because the ruling party had failed to protect the constitutional powers of the state government.
The DMK leader recalled that his party had earlier questioned the government in the Assembly over the alleged compromise on importance given to Tamil Thai Vazhathu in official functions held in the presence of the Governor. He said the government failed to give a satisfactory explanation and argued that recent developments clearly show that the government is compromising on state rights.
Udhayanidhi Stalin further alleged that the ruling party was trying to force defection from the opposition parties, while at the same time allowing the inspection of the Governor out of fear that the Governor might initiate action against the government.
Recalling DMK’s protests during the former AIADMK regime, Udhayanidhi Stalin said party workers had protested by waving black flags during similar inspections conducted by the then Governor. He further said that no such inspection was allowed during the tenure of the former DMK government led by MK Stalin.
–IANS
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