CHENNAI: After Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s recent meeting with State officials ruffled feathers, the Raj Bhavan on Monday said that certain sections of the society in Tamil Nadu, and many ministers, appreciated the effort of the Governor.
The Raj Bhavan also denied he was stepping beyond the constitutional limits within which a Governor was supposed to act. “Most unfortunately, few of the critics also felt that the Governor had a political agenda and that he was acting at the behest of the Central government, given the current political context in which the State of Tamil Nadu finds itself. This part of the criticism is absolutely wrong and false and based on the figment of imagination.”
Pointing out that even when he was the governor of Assam, Purohit had conducted similar meetings in most districts much to everybody’s appreciation, the Raj Bhavan said: “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 people at the grassroots level.”
The Raj Bhavan pointed out that such exercises would facilitate him in reflecting the same to the government of India and thereby enabling him to avail more funds to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people. “As already stated by him, after assuming office as governor of Tamil Nadu, Purohit affirms that he will abide by the Constitution in letter and spirit. He will always strive to uphold the dignity of the office of the governor. He prays to the Almighty that the State of Tamil Nadu reaches pinnacle of glory in the times to come,” the statement further said.
Referring to the words of governor just after assuming charge in the State that he would take all decisions — small or big without any political consideration and would take them based on merit, the Raj Bhavan said, “There was no attempt to short circuit the official channels. Everything was done according to the norms and meeting gave the governor a good idea of the status of welfare schemes.”