TN Governor leads cleanliness drive, DMK protests visit

The DMK has been claiming that such review meetings held by the governor amounted to "interference" in the state's autonomy, a charge rejected by the Raj Bhavan and the ruling AIADMK besides the BJP.

Purohit was here after his visits to Tirunelveli, Thanjavur and Cuddalore among other districts.

He led a cleanliness drive at a village panchayat near here in which Minister of Higher Education KP Anbazhagan participated.

Armed with hand gloves and a broom, the Governor sweeped the street, removed garbage and Minister Anbazhagan followed the suit.

In the Governor's presence, a pledge against open air defecation and on the importance of hygiene under the Swachh Bharat Mission was also administered.

Opposing the Governor's visit, DMK and VCK cadres held black flags in their hands and raised slogans against him while a huge posse of police personnel was deployed.

DMK and its ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had held similar protests when the governor visited districts including Thanjavur and Cuddalore.

Purohit, however, has strongly defended his district tours and meetings with officials, saying it was to "subserve his Constitutional function."

Last month, he had said he will continue with his visits to various districts in the coming months, and interact with officials and the people.

Stating that it was the duty of the governor to be acquainted with the true state of affairs in his region, a Raj Bhavan release had said Purohit's visits to different districts served that purpose.

The governor's office apparently made the point to counter the opposition accusation that it was not his duty to do so.

The governor visiting "different districts, and learning first-hand the condition of the administration of the district serves a most necessary purpose to acquaint him with the administration's effort to implement the plans, policies and schemes of the government," the release had said.

"Without such knowledge, he would have no real understanding about the condition, quality and extent of the administration of different regions of the state," it said.

The Raj Bhavan release issued on December 16 last year by R Rajagopal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, said acquisition of such knowledge first-hand must be seen as subserving the constitutional function of his office, and not detracting from it.