‘DMK’s allies to boycott Guv’s tea party’

Political allies of the ruling DMK, including the Congress and left parties, have declared their decision to boycott the Republic Day tea party hosted by Raj Bhavan in response to recent remarks made by Governor R N Ravi. The governor’s comments, perceived as belittling Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to the Indian freedom movement, have sparked condemnation from the allies. Congress legislature party leader K Selvaperunthagai strongly criticized Governor Ravi’s remarks, accusing him of functioning as a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Selvaperunthagai announced the Congress legislature party’s decision to boycott the tea party in protest against the governor’s comments. Alleging that Governor Ravi has consistently operated with the intention of causing political confusion in the state since assuming office in September 2021, Selvaperunthagai emphasized the need for the governor’s recall. He pointed out that the governor has courted controversy by expressing views aligned with the BJP’s perspective on history. State Congress president K S Alagiri denounced the governor’s statement about Mahatma Gandhi, describing it as akin to insulting the sentiments of 140 crore Indians. Alagiri announced plans to lead a protest march from the Rajiv Gandhi statue in Little Mount to Raj Bhavan on January 27, condemning Governor Ravi’s views and emphasizing the need to stand against individuals with perspectives aligned with those celebrating Nathuram Godse. In solidarity, the Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) also declared their boycott of the Republic Day tea party hosted by the governor. This boycott echoes a similar instance in April 2022 when the ruling DMK chose to abstain from the “at home reception” offered by Governor Ravi. The decision then was a protest against the governor’s delay in giving assent to a Bill passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, seeking exemption for the state from the National Eligibility-cum-Ent