Tamil Nadu Governor, DMK government tensions escalate over Raj Bhavan petrol bomb incident

Petrol bomb case: Raj Bhavan allegations contrary to truth, says TN DGP

The incident

On 25 October, a history-sheeter named “Karukka” Vinodh hurled a petrol bomb towards the Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s residence. 

According to a complaint filed by the Raj Bhavan, multiple individuals were involved in the incident and were prevented by the sentries on duty from entering the Governor’s residence.

The complaint also mentioned that the petrol bomb had exploded. Ravi released a brief statement on Thursday accusing the Chennai City Police of not registering Raj Bhavan’s complaint about the attack.

The Raj Bhavan also criticised the police’s actions, claiming they hindered a thorough investigation that could have exposed the individuals responsible for the attack.

The Governor’s office stated that a fair investigation was compromised even before it could commence.

However, the police rebutted the claim. They released video footage on Friday, 27 October, to buttress their claim. 

In an official statement, DGP Shankar Jiwal confirmed that the 42-year-old accused was a habitual offender in the Teynampet police station area. He added that the miscreant acted alone in the attack on the Raj Bhavan.

Jiwal revealed that the accused approached Raj Bhavan by himself, carrying four bottles filled with petrol with the intention of throwing them. However, police personnel stationed near the Governor’s residence intervened and restrained him.

The accused was swiftly arrested and remanded to jail at midnight.

Related: Anti-NEET slogans raised as petrol bomb is hurled at Raj Bhavan

War of words

Raising the pitch, the BJP alleged that with the Raj Bhavan becoming vulnerable to attacks, there was no safety or security for the public, especially women.

“The state police claimed that the petrol bomb was hurled outside the Raj Bhavan. It is a high-security zone and the Raj Bhavan is a cordoned area. When the Governor himself lacks protection, who will provide security to the people, particularly women?” asked Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

In response, senior DMK leader and state Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu said the Governor’s bungalow was located deep inside the Raj Bhavan premises, and that the police provided round-the-clock protection in this high-security zone.

“An unstable man flung a petrol bomb on the tar road and the BJP here sees it as an attack on the Governor’s official residence. The law and order in Tamil Nadu is well maintained and the BJP’s attempt to politicise will not work,” Velu told reporters in Arani in the Tiruvannamalai district.

Addressing a rally as part of his En Mann, En Makkal padayatra in Tiruchengode in the Namakkal district on Saturday night, Annamalai said, “This incident and the deteriorating law and order in the state are among the several crucial issues before the people in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”

The 2024 Lok Sabha election was not an ordinary one, and the breakdown of law and order would also reflect at the time of the polls, he said.

Union minister L Murugan claimed that the DMK was apparently rattled by the spectacular growth of the BJP in the state — especially the overwhelming response to Annamalai’s statewide yatra and was indulging in efforts targetting the saffron party workers. “It is high time the DMK is sent packing home,” he said.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan accused the BJP of grabbing the national headlines by raising security issues pertaining to the Governor. 

Related: ‘Fair investigation killed before it begins’: Raj Bhavan targets DMK

(With PTI inputs)