Tamil Nadu Governor Sparks Political Firestorm With Allegations Against DMK
Tensions are boiling over in Tamil Nadu as Governor R N Ravi traded barbs with the state’s ruling DMK party. Ravi accused the DMK government of using intimidation tactics, specifically targeting Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) of state universities to prevent them from attending his annual conference.
The conference, held in Ooty, saw a low turnout of university leaders, leaving the Governor visibly frustrated. Ravi claimed that the DMK government, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, employed the state police’s special branch to threaten the V-Cs, warning them they wouldn’t be able to return home if they attended the event.
The DMK quickly pushed back against these accusations, with Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson labeling Ravi’s statements as “false” and potentially inciting “subversive activities” against the government. It’s safe to expect more fireworks from the DMK in the coming days.
This latest clash comes just weeks after the Supreme Court dealt a blow to Governors nationwide, ruling that they cannot indefinitely withhold assent to state Bills. The court also set a three-month deadline for the President to decide on Bills reserved for their consideration, effectively limiting a Governor’s power.
The DMK has been emboldened by the ruling, forming a committee to protect states’ rights and push for a more balanced federal structure. This has turned federalism into a key campaign issue for the DMK ahead of the next state assembly elections.
This situation presents a tricky political tightrope for the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu which has aligned with the BJP. In the past, AIADMK leaders have voiced similar concerns about central overreach and state autonomy, making it difficult for them to support the Governor’s actions without potentially handing the DMK a political advantage.
Even the BJP might feel some unease about this situation. Following the Supreme Court ruling, some BJP leaders have questioned Governor Ravi’s actions, which sparked the conflict with the judiciary.
All eyes will be on how the DMK capitalizes on this opportunity and how the AIADMK and BJP respond. This ongoing clash between the Governor and the state government promises to be a major political story in the coming days.
