Tamil Nadu Governor Purohit reviews projects in state, rakes up political storm
Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu barring the BJP are up in arms against the state Governor, Banwarilal Purohit, for undertaking reviews of projects and holding meetings with state government officials.
The Governor on Tuesday had a nearly three-hour meeting with Coimbatore district collector, police commissioner, corporation commissioner and other officials where they made power point presentations about their respective works.
While senior ministers such as S P Velumani and K P Anbalagan took the line that there was nothing wrong in a Governor conducting such reviews, the opposition leaders contended that this was an affront to the state autonomy. They even alleged that the Governor was acting as an agent of the Centre to rule the state by default and that he was setting a wrong precedent.
Ignoring the criticism, Purohit on Tuesday inspected a bio toilet constructed at a bus stand in Coimbatore under the Swachch Bharat Mission.
Later at a meeting, he justified his action. Stating that some were asking why the Governor was conducting such reviews, Purohit said, “Only after reviewing I can appreciate (a project). Otherwise, how I can appreciate if I don’t see and reviewing everything.”
According to him, such reviews helped him to understand the good work or dedication of officials.
The Governor added that he would undertake similar visits to all districts in Tamil Nadu.
Hitting out at the Governor's stance, DMK leader M K Stalin said it was an attempt by the BJP to systematically erode the state’s autonomy for which Tamil Nadu has been raising its voice for over 50 years.
MDMK leader Vaiko said already the Lieutenant Governors of Delhi and Puducherry were functioning like dictators and now Purohit has joined the list. This led to doubts if the state government existed at all.
Rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran said had Jayalalithaa been alive she would not have allowed such meetings to take place. The State autonomy has been compromised and this only showed that the Edappadi Palaniswami government must be sent packing home, he said.