During a special session on Saturday (18 November 2023), the Tamil Nadu Assembly once again passed the 10 bills returned by State Governor RN Ravi. Most of the bills were related to making amendments to the laws pertaining to different state universities seeking to reduce Governor’s power as Chancellor in appointing Vice Chancellors and members of committees of the institutions. The Assembly had convened urgently after the Governor returned bills for assent. Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Governor’s withholding of assent, calling it an insult to the people and democracy. The AIADMK and BJP MLAs staged a walkout as the bills covering various departments were passed.
Addressing reporters outside the Assembly, BJP National Women’s Wing President and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, lashed out at the DMK government calling the special session a gimmick to distract people from real issues.
“Every day there is a protest in Chennai by government servants, doctors, nurses, all of you are seeing what is happening. To distract people from all these problems, they’re doing this. First time we’re seeing a government which has slapped Goondas Act on protesting farmers. And this Chief Minister is withdrawing that Goondas Act later. What kind of administration is happen under the CM?” she said.
Speaking on the bills, the BJP MLA further said that the existing laws provide for Governor consulting with the government to appoint a selection committee which will then recommend candidates having the necessary qualifications and skills.
“Can you can level any allegations on the person being appointed by the Governor? Are they being appointed without having the necessary educational qualification or any other issues? If so, you point an example and tell. But you want to appoint people close to you which the Governor is obstructing, which is why the government is bringing these laws. Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka has a process where the Governor consults with the respective state governments. The same consultation process is there. Instead of having a smooth relationship, there is no point in targeting the Governor.“, she said.
To the DMK leaders targeting the Governor for participating in different events and giving speeches, Vanathi Srinivasan said “What do they think of themselves? Do they think that the Governor should not get out of the Raj Bhavan? Is it why they’re setting up persons to hurl petrol bombs at the Governor’s residence?”
Responding to a question on the time frame to be followed by the Governor and the Supreme Court’s recent observation, the BJP MLA said that the Raj Bhavan will take into account the apex court’s orders and act accordingly.
செய்தியாளர் சந்திப்பு pic.twitter.com/qXbEaFzYc7
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) November 18, 2023
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.