Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Tamil Nadu, has said that there was no illegality or unconstitutionality of any kind in his recent meeting with the district officials of Coimbatore which had created a furore in the State. The DMK and other Opposition parties had described that the Governor’s action was against federalism and the Constitution.
In a statement released by his Principal Secretary, Governor Purohit said, “The purpose of the said meeting was to seek a first-hand input about various welfare and developmental schemes and programmes and their implementation. Certain sections of the society in Tamil Nadu found this effort as something that is to be welcomed while others found the action of the Governor as not in conformity with the constitutional provisions and conventions,” said the statement released on Monday.
The release further stated that though the Governor was sure about the legality and correctness of his action he sought a legal opinion from one of the leading legal experts to have a proper examination of his action.
“Equipped with that detailed opinion, Thiru Purohit asserts that none of his actions in seeking a meeting with the District Officials in Coimbatore amounts to any illegality or unconstitutionality. There was no attempt to short-circuit the official channels or to force a meeting. Everything was done according to the norms and the meeting gave the Governor a good idea of the status of various welfare and developmental schemes and programmes in the District of Coimbatore,” said the release.
It has also referred to Purohit’s previous posting in Assam as Governor and the meetings he had with the district administration in that State. “While conducting such meetings the Governor never violated any law or the Constitution. These meetings helped Purohit in getting first-hand knowledge of the developmental needs and problems faced by the people at grass root level which facilitated him in reflecting the same to the Government of India and thereby enabling him to avail more funds to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the people. Purohit will continue such efforts in Tamil Nadu also to fulfill his responsibilities as envisaged in the Oath he has taken to devote himself in the service and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu,” said the release.