Banwarilal Purohit does a Kiran Bedi? In a first, Tamil Nadu Governor to hold discussions with state government officials

Traditionally, the governors, who are basically representatives of the union governments, maintain a distance in the state administration and rarely meet the state officials or political party leaders
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit (File | PTI)
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit (File | PTI)

CHENNAI: Is Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit toeing the line of Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi? Perhaps what could be a first for a Tamil Nadu governor, Purohit is meeting the government officials today in Coimbatore. 

He will hold the discussions starting from 3 pm with the district administration officials, local civic body officials and police officers. All willing political party representatives are also invited to meet him.
Traditionally, the governors, who are basically representatives of the union governments, maintain a distance in the state administration and rarely meet the state officials or political party leaders. 
All the meetings are mostly confined to the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor and that too only during times of political emergencies like the sitting Chief Minister losing confidence of a section of his party MLAs. While there are already accusations that the Narendra Modi-led union government is interfering in administration of state governments and curtailing the state autonomy, the unprecedented meetings by the governor today is sure to raise eyebrows.
Recently Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had accused the union government of stopping funds for the state that does not toe the union government's line. 
In the neighbouring union territory of Puducherry, ever since Kiran Bedi assumed charge as the Lieutenant Governor, she has been at loggerheads with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and other opposition parties including the AIADMK.
Narayanaswamy has been complaining that the Governor is unduly interfering with the routine affairs of the government which is taken care of by the elected representatives.
Now, with the proposed meeting with the district administration by Banwarilal Purohit, the big question raised is whether the Tamil Nadu Governor will also create ripples here in the coming days.
Significantly, just after sworn in as Governor of the state on October 6, Banwarilal Purohit promised the people of Tamil Nadu: “I will ensure cleanliness in administration.” This statement assumed significance at a time all opposition parties are raising a volley of corruption charges against the AIADMK government here.
As per the schedule, the Coimbatore Collector TN Hariharan will be making a powerpoint presentation to the Governor on the ongoing programmes in the district followed by a meeting with Coimbatore city Corporation Commissioner.
Top police officials in the district, health department and heads of a few other government departments will be meeting Banwarilal. Above all, the Governor is scheduled to meet representatives of "willing" political parties.  
Representatives of NGOs are also said to be meeting him.   
On Wednesday, Banwarilal will be overseeing the progress made in Swachh Bharat scheme in Coimbatore district and is likely to take part in a mass cleaning programme.  He will be interacting with those involved in Swachh Bharat mission.  
Solid waste management programme is also part of his programme on Wednesday.
Later, at Tirupur, the Governor is participating in a massive tree plantation drive organised by Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Sangangalin Koottiyakkam. He will be commencing the planting of 1,000 saplings and addresses the people there.

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