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Stalin’s decision to skip the tea party is a mark of protest against Ravi, who, the state government alleged, has been “acting against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu”
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin with Governor RN Ravi (PTI File Photo)
The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will not attend the Independence Day “At Home Reception” hosted by Governor R.N. Ravi on August 15.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister’s decision to skip the tea party is a mark of protest against the Governor, who, the state government alleged, has been “acting against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
The state government further added that Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy (Govi Chezhian) will also boycott the convocation ceremonies of two state universities scheduled for August 18 and 19, in protest against Governor Ravi’s conduct.
The announcement comes a day after the Tamil Nadu Congress and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) declared that their legislators will also boycott the Independence Day reception hosted by the Governor.
State Congress president K. Selvaperunthagai, in a statement, said that all Congress MLAs will skip the event to protest what he described as the Governor’s continuous efforts to act against the people and the rights of Tamil Nadu.
He specifically criticised the Governor for allegedly delaying the forwarding of a Bill to the President that would establish a university in Kumbakonam, named after Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar.
MMK president M.H. Jawahirullah echoed similar concerns. In a statement, he said the party would boycott the tea reception as the Governor had consistently acted in ways that “undermine the authority of the state government” and “disrupt the democratic functioning” of an elected government.
Both the Congress and MMK are allies of the ruling DMK-led coalition in Tamil Nadu. The Congress has 17 MLAs in the state assembly, while MMK has two.
The Independence Day tea party, traditionally held at the Raj Bhavan on the evening of August 15, is attended by state ministers, legislators, senior bureaucrats, and members of the judiciary.
(With inputs from agencies)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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