Tamizhagam remark : Raj Bhavan Pongal fest invite sparks fresh row

Chennai: Amid widening differences between the ruling DMK and Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi and the tussle hitting a new low yesterday, a fresh invitation from the Raj Bhavan addressing him as 'Tamizhaga' Governor and sporting Indian Government's motto instead of the TN Government's motto, has sparked a fresh row in the political circles.

In the previous years it was being usually mentioned as Tamil Nadu Governor in all the invitations.

However, a day after tumultous scenes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, when the Governor was booed for his 'Tamizhagam' remarks and Ravi skipping a portion of the prepared text from his customary address to the House and walking out even before the National Anthem was recited, an invitation for the Pongal festival from Raj Bhavan mentioned him as Tamizhaga Governor.

Earlier all the invitations sent by Raj Bhavan mentioned him as Tamil Nadu Governor.

However, the invitation for the January 12 Pongal fest in Raj Bhavan has mentioned him as Tamizhaga Governor.

Reacting to it, CPI-M Lok Sabha Member from Madurai Su Venkatesan took to his official Twitter handle and wrote "Governor invitation. Last time, the invitation letter had the Tamil Nadu government's motto. This time the invitation has only the Indian government's motto in three places."

"He refused to use it because Tamil Nadu is written in our motto. Similarly, can we expect him to walk away from the tax money and rented house of the people of Tamil Nadu?" (sic)", the MP wrote.

"He should leave the state at the same speed as he left the House yesterday. He should be ousted from the State," the Left leader wrote.

It may be noted that the opening day of the maiden session of the State Assembly in the New Year yesterday witnessed a tumultous scenes with the alliance party members of the ruling DMK boycotting the Governor address, Chief Minister M.K.Stalin moving a resolution to retain in records the portions skipped by Governor from the prepared text and Ravi walking out even before the National Anthem was recited.

The Governor skipped a couple of paragraphs and also avoided references to Ambedkar, Dravidian leaders, ‘Dravidian model’ in his address.

It was perhaps for the first time in the history of the Assembly, such incidents have taken place in the House.

Soon after the Governor started his customary address to the House, members of the the Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), both allies of the ruling DMK, shouted slogans hailing “Tamil Nadu” in response to the Governor’s recent remarks that “Tamilagam” would be a more appropriate name for Tamil Nadu. It was followed by a walk out by them and other alliance partners and boycott of his address..

Meanwhile, posters with the slogan "Get out Ravi" have been put up in some parts of the city protesting against the Governor's action for skipping some portion in the address prepared by the government.

Posters by DMK with the slogan '#GetOutRavi' were reportedly seen at Semmozhi Poonga and Anna Arivalayam in Chennai.

The VCK and CPI-M also announced a protest demonstrations before the Raj Bhavan seeking the recall of the Governor for insulting the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the elected government and the National Anthem. (UNI)