TN Guv to 'take a call' on his district tour initiative: DMK

Virtually scoring a political point on its state autonomy plank, DMK working president M K Stalin today said that Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit told him that he would "consider and take a decision" on his review meetings in districts.

"When we asked him how he could go on tour of districts and hold meetings, he told us candidly that he would think about it, consider and take a decision," the DMK leader said.

Stalin, who is the leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said he and his party top leader Duraimurugan asked the Governor if it was proper for him to go on a tour to districts and hold meetings with officials when an elected government is in office.

Purohit's initiative went against the state's autonomy and this was made clear to him, he said.

"Whether it is the DMK or AIADMK regime, or if it is a horse-trading regime, it does not really matter. The fact is that there is a government in place," Stalin told reporters after calling on Purohit at the Raj Bhavan here.

After about a 45-minute meeting with Purohit, he said if the Governor went ahead with his tour initiative after "saying that there is no government," his party would not object.

The DMK leader, flanked by Duraimurugan,said he explained to Purohit that this was the reason behind his party holding protests whenever he went to districts for review meetings.

Stalin said the Governor told them that he was not holding review meetings, but visiting districts to know about development work.

The DMK leader said "we did not accept that."
Political parties, including the DMK, had opposed that appointment as the VC faced "disciplinary proceedings."
Purohit, had, however defended his district tours and meetings with officials, saying it was to "subserve his Constitutional function."