AIADMK tussle may throw up new Tamil Nadu guv Banwarilal Purohit’s first big test | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

AIADMK tussle may throw up new Tamil Nadu guv Banwarilal Purohit’s first big test

Hindustan Times, Chennai | By, Chennai
Oct 01, 2017 08:33 AM IST

Experts say Purohit will likely give the BJP and the RSS an advantage as it tries to expand in the southern state

Banwarilal Purohit will likely have the most eventful beginning amongst the five new governors announced by the Union government on Saturday as he takes charge of Tamil Nadu, where a bruising power struggle within the ruling AIADMK has upset calculations in the assembly.

Banwarilal Purohit was previously the governor of Assam.(PTI)
Banwarilal Purohit was previously the governor of Assam.(PTI)

A breakaway faction threatens to dethrone chief minister E Palanisami. The matter is currently in court where a decision could give Purohit his first major task: calling a floor test while all parties keep a close watch on his every move.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Experts say that Purohit’s presence in the Raj Bhavan is likely to help the Bharatiya Janata Party. “What they did in Assam is known to everyone,” said professor Ramu Manivannan of Madras University.

Political commentator and columnist Gnyani Shankaran concurred with his view and said: “now they will do full time manipulating... The governor will be, ultimately, loyal to the centre and the BJP will definitely make use of him.”

Purohit is a veteran politician from Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He has represented the Congress twice and the BJP once.

The post of Tamil Nadu governor freed last year when K Rosaiah retired. The governor of Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao, was given the additional gubernatorial responsibilities of Tamil Nadu, a role that often saw him rushing to Chennai as political developments unfolded in the state.

At least, Tamil Nadu governor house will save a lot on flight bills, said Manivannan.

The principal opposition party, DMK, welcomed Purohit’s appointment and said that he hoped the new governor will be fair to all.

“The first litmus test faced by the governor and his political fairness will be how he judges the situation arising out of the ‘withdrawal of faith in CM’ by 18 MLAs that clearly brought the government into a minority, DMK president Stalin said in a statement.

But Stalin’s colleagues hinted at a suspicion that the hidden hand of the RSS could influence Purohit.

“As long as Modi is there, governors behave as politicians and we cannot expect any deviation from that,” said TKS Elangovan, DMK MP, without naming Purohit.

BJP state unit chief Tamilisai Soundarrajan was confident that the opposition will be proven wrong and governor Purohit will function in a positive manner.

Purohit is a leader from Vidharbha in Maharashtra and a three-time MP from Nagpur. He is also the managing editor of English daily Hitavada, founded in 1911 by Gopal Krishna Gokhle.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    KV Lakshmana is the Tamil Nadu bureau chief of Hindustan Times. He covers social, economic and political changes in the state and neighbourhood.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On