Two days after Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu assembly in a hurry, a high-level DMK delegation led by law minister S. Raghupathy submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday and briefed her about the ongoing standoff between the governor and the government. The delegation also informed the President that the governor's behaviour on Monday in the assembly was against the Constitution and rules of procedure of the house.
While the content of the memorandum was not disclosed, DMK treasurer and parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu said the delegation handed over a memorandum to the president. "Our law minister S. Raghupathy who led the delegation has handed over the memorandum written by our chief minister. We do not know the content of the communication," Baalu said.
According to sources, the delegation, which included DMK deputy general secretary and former Union minister A. Raja and DMK Rajya Sabha MP N.R. Elango, briefed Murmu on what happened in the house on January 9 and the governor deviating from the text prepared by the government during his customary address. They told the President that the Governor had skipped portions of the text and added certain points on his own. The communication from the chief minister, sources said, also urged the President to "advise governor to act according to the constitution”.
The President, according to Baalu, assured to the delegation that she will look into the issue. Two months ago, the DMK had petitioned the President to recall the governor, quoting his controversial statements. The memorandum then was passed on to the President through her under secretary.
The governor and the DMK government have been at loggerheads as Ravi, since his taking charge, has been flagging various issues and has not given assent to 21 bills passed by the state assembly. Meanwhile, Ravi who hosted a Pongal feast at the Raj bhavan on Thursday is expected to leave for Delhi on January 13.
