Guv Ravi must apologise for insulting TNLA: Minister Sivasankar

CHENNAI: State transport minister S S Sivasankar on Saturday insisted that Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi must apologise for insulting the State Legislative Assembly by not reading out the government’s address in the year’s maiden session of the Assembly.

Remarking that Governor Ravi avoided reading the address in the House to hide the government's achievements, Sivasankar told media persons at the State secretariat, "Whatever was practised in the TNLA traditionally, it is being followed now. He (Governor) is attempting to change it. As delivering the government's address would mean that it would convey the government's achievements, he behaved like this."

Sivasankar slammed that he (RN Ravi) spoke as if he is the wholesome guardian of patriotism. The minister added that DMK and the people of TN are second to none in patriotism. “Tamil Nadu had contributed a huge share of freedom fighters. Such freedom fighters have been Chief Ministers and Governors. They did not propose to act this way. Only he (Ravi) is proposing the rendering of the national anthem at the beginning," Sivasankar added.

Citing the practice of rendering Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu at the beginning and national anthem at the end of the governor's address in the previous AIADMK regime, which was pally with the BJP, the minister said, "The same practice continues even today. Neither TNLA nor the people of TN insult the national anthem in any way. The Governor must regret enacting a drama by advancing a wrong argument."

Guv insulted the national anthem

Criticising the governor for behaving like an elected leader, Sivasankar said, "He is creating a situation for raising the slogan ‘Governor Ravi get out.’ He must tender an apology for insulting the TNLA." Adding that Ravi did not deserve to preach the virtues of patriotism to the DMK, the minister referred to the inclusion of Bharathiyar's poem on the progress of India after today's speech and said, "Actually speaking, the Governor insulted the national anthem. He exited before the rendering of the national anthem. He did the same thing last year. He must express regret for neglecting the national anthem. He must be ashamed of continuing in the office without being given an extension. It would bode well for him and his career if he considers it an insult and quits the post."

‘Ravi must quit on his own’

Asked if they expected him to resign, Sivasankar said, "Probably, the ruling BJP wants him to resign on his own. But, he is continuing." On whether the BJP-led Union government wanted Ravi to continue at Raj Bhavan, he said, "There are many views in the Union government. Some might be in favour of him, and some opposed to him. The crux of the issue is that he (Ravi) has not been offered an extension."