Chennai: With the DMK government moving a fresh resolution against Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for allegedly not clearing Bills passed by the State Assembly, Chief Minister MK Stalin said the Governor is functioning against the welfare of the people.
Speaking in the State Assembly, Stalin said, "This is the second resolution I am bringing against Governor. The Sarkaria Commission had said that Governor should be a detached figure. Dr Ambedkar has said that Governor should not intervene within the authority of the State Government. Several Supreme Court orders have said that the Governor should be a guide. But our Governor is not ready to be a friend of the people."
Tamil Nadu Minister Durai Murugan moved a resolution in the State Assembly urging the central government and President Droupadi Murmu to immediately issue appropriate instructions to the Governor to give assent to the Bills passed by the Assembly within a specific period of time.
Stalin alleged that the Governor criticised the Bill on the public platform and is standing against the welfare of the people. "He spoke about the Bills passed in favour of Tamil Nadu people in the public platform, especially when the PM comes to Chennai or when I go to Delhi. He refuses to give assent online gambling ban bill and says that the Bill withheld is flat. As per Constitution, if a Bill is returned, once passed and sent back, Governor should give assent. Giving the authority of signing to a nominated person while the law is passed by the Legislative Assembly must be pondered," Stalin said.
The Chief Minister alleged that Governor Ravi was giving false information regarding bills. "We are only criticising the Governor's actions. We will not be quiet if the hindrance is caused to Assembly proceedings. Governor is withholding the Bill as per his wish and giving false information. We do not bring a Bill to appease anyone. NEET Bill and ban on online gambling Bill were passed after several levels of consideration and committees," added Stalin.
DMK and its alliance partners voted in favour of the resolution passed by Durai Murugan. However, AIADMK MLAs stage a walkout from the Assembly alleging that they were not given time to speak in the House.