DMK allies to boycott Republic Day tea party organised by Tamil Nadu Governor

The Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and MDMK said they would boycott the party, alleging that Governor RN Ravi was acting as a face of the RSS.

ByVinodh Arulappan

Published Jan 25, 2023 | 3:11 PMUpdatedJan 25, 2023 | 4:20 PM

Governor RN Ravi

DMK allies, including the Congress, CPI, SPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munetra Kalagam (MDMK) have decided to boycott the Republic Day tea party to be hosted by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi.

Alleging that Ravi was functioning against the welfare of the state and acting as the face of the RSS, the parties issued statements separately, saying they would boycott the tea party.

It is customary for the Governor of the state to host a tea party on important occasions and national holidays.

Further, a formal invitation is sent to all the MLAs, MPs, bureaucrats of the state, and dignitaries to participate in the tea party.

In a statement issued by the CPI, its state secretary R Mutharasan said that the Governor was acting as an agent of the RSS, and so the party was firm in its stand of demanding that Ravi step down from the post.

C Balakrishnan, the state secretary of the CPI(M), stated that the Governor was continuing to act against the welfare of the state, and hence his party would ignore Ravi’s invitation to participate in the tea party.

The Congress’ Assembly leader K Selvaperunthagai pointed to the Governor’s recent speech at a birth anniversary function of Subash Chandra Bose, where he said that the history of India should be rewritten.

The Congress leader said Ravi was continuing to speak in a manner that was against the sovereignty of the country.

The Congress also claimed that the Governor was trying to hold a parallel government in the state.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavlavan stated that Ravi was functioning against the norms of the Constitution.

He also alleged that the Governor was sitting on several bills passed by the Assembly without approving them.

The VCK leader also demanded that Ravi be removed as the Governor, and said that his party would not participate in any function hosted by him.