Raj Bhavan gives indirect warning to parties opposing TN governor’s visits to districts

CHENNAI: After trying to ignore opposition to his visits to the districts and then trying to explain the powers vested with a state governor in undertaking such visits, Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit seems to have turned assertive. Any attempt to prevent him from exercising his duties is tantamount to an offence that could invite imprisonment up to seven years, said a statement from the Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
It sought to put leader of opposition in the state assembly and DMK party working president M K Stalin on the mat, by taking a tough stand that the Constitution permits the governor to visit any part of the state and interact with officials. “Any attempt to restrain the governor from exercising his powers or attempt so to overawe is punishable with imprisonment up to seven years and with a fine,” it said.

The latest missive from the Raj Bhavan came in the wake of the Tamil Nadu police taking DMK cadre into custody for attempting to show black flags to the governor during his visit to Namakkal on Friday and the subsequent attempt to besiege the Raj Bhavan on Saturday by party members led by Stalin demanding release of those who were arrested on Friday.

The statement said the institution of the governor is that of a constitutional authority who enjoys full authority and freedom to visit any part of the state. “He enjoys unhindered freedom to meet and interact with officials of the state, who are members of the executive wing. This helps the governor take the right decisions at critical times and for being able to send meaningful monthly reports to the President of India and for this the former should be familiar with the features and characteristics of the various districts and beware of the problems faced by the people,” it said.

During his visits to the district, the governor interacts with officials, who make presentations about the prevailing conditions. There had neither been any instance of the governor criticising the performance of any department nor of giving a direction to any official.

It said the use of the word “review” by the leader of the opposition was an attempt to mislead the people.” He is either ignorant of the law or attempting to overawe by threatening to besiege the Raj Bhavan and block the roads leading to the Raj Bhavan,” the statement said.

Stating that office of the governor is protected under Section 124 of the IPC, it goes on to explain the consequences of preventing him from exercising his duties.

Such visits to the districts would continue in the same manner in the coming months, the statement said.