Governor can't act as parallel government; President must intervene: CPI

CHENNAI: The CPI on Sunday (July 5) sought President Droupadi Murmu's intervention against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, accusing him of acting beyond his constitutional authority after he invited people to approach Raj Bhavan with their grievances.

In a statement, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian alleged that the Governor was attempting to function as a parallel government, citing his remarks at a book release function at Lok Bhavan on Saturday. Arlekar had said people could approach Raj Bhavan to seek solutions to their problems and that those working to address social inequalities could seek assistance from the Governor's office.

Veerapandian said the Governor's remarks amounted to an open declaration of running a parallel government against the democratically elected State government and alleged that his actions constituted an overreach of authority and direct interference in the State government's administration.

Urging the State government and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to act, the CPI leader called for immediate legal and political measures to prevent what he described as the Governor's abuse of authority.

He also pointed out that the Supreme Court, in an earlier legal battle initiated by the Tamil Nadu government, had clearly and unequivocally defined the constitutional limits of a Governor.

Veerapandian further appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and take appropriate action against the Governor for allegedly acting beyond the authority conferred by the Constitution and disregarding the Supreme Court's rulings.