DMK To Join Allies In Boycotting Governor Ravi's Independence Day Tea Party

The opposition by DMK and its allies to the 'At Home Reception' on Independence Day stems from the claim that the Governor's actions have been against the best interests of Tamil Nadu.

The DMK on Wednesday announced its decision to boycott the 'At Home Reception' event hosted by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi at the Raj Bhavan on Independence Day. The ruling party's organizational secretary, R S Bharathi, stated that no representatives from the DMK would attend the reception. He also mentioned that any official participation from the government would be communicated by Chief Minister M K Stalin, who is also the head of the DMK.

This announcement comes after several of the DMK's allies, including the Congress party declared on Tuesday their intention to skip the Independence Day tea party organised by Governor Ravi. The opposition stems from the belief that the Governor's actions have been against the best interests of Tamil Nadu. Despite the boycott by the DMK and its allies, the main opposition party, AIADMK, has confirmed its attendance at the event, according to a report on PTI.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K Selvaperunthagai articulated his party's decision to boycott the tea party, citing the Governor's actions as being detrimental to the state and its democratically elected government. "I thank the governor for the invite. The activities of the governors are becoming political during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime... We are boycotting the tea party," Selvaperunthagai stated in an official communication. He further expressed gratitude for the invitation but reaffirmed the Congress party's stance against what they see as the Governor's politically motivated actions.

Thol Thirumavalavan, the leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and an ally of the DMK, also declared his party's decision to abstain from the event. He criticised the Governor's behaviour as being "anti-Tamil Nadu," and emphasised that their absence from the reception would be a form of protest against these perceived injustices.

Other left-leaning parties, including the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), have similarly decided to skip the tea party.