Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin along with a few Cabinet colleagues attended the tea party hosted by Governor RN Ravi on Thursday evening as part of the Independence Day celebrations. The decision to participate in the event was announced by Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu during an interaction with media persons earlier in the day.
According to IANS, Thenarasu stated, "The Chief Minister and other ministers will attend the tea party out of respect for the office of the Governor." He emphasised that the government's decision was made after careful consideration and was in line with protocol.
This development came amid speculation that the Chief Minister and his ministers might boycott the event, following the announcement of DMK Organising Secretary RS Bharathi that the party would do so. Bharathi had urged party members to skip the "At Home Reception" hosted by the Governor, though he noted that the final decision regarding government participation would be communicated by the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress had officially announced its decision to boycott the Governor's tea party. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai, in a statement on Wednesday, accused Governor Ravi of consistently obstructing the functioning of the democratically-elected Tamil Nadu government. He alleged that the Governor had shown "scant regard and respect" for the state government and repeatedly disregarded its recommendations.
Selvaperunthagai further argued that the Governor's actions were in direct defiance of Article 163 of the Constitution of India, which mandates that the Governor act in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
Despite the Congress's boycott and the earlier calls from within his own party, Chief Minister Stalin's decision to attend the event highlights the complex dynamics between the state government and the Governor's office.
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