Chennai: In a twist, DMK has decided to attend the tea party to be hosted by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on the occasion of Republic Day on Thursday. The move of the DMK comes even after several allies of the party decided to boycott the event.
The DMK-led government and Raj Bhavan had been witnessing face-offs over use of the word Tamil Nadu vs Tamizhagam and the omission of words from the Assembly speech prepared by the state government.
However, in a surprising move, DMK decided to take part in the Republic Day event a day after the state unit of the CPI(M), CPI, Thol Thirumavalavan-led Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) announced boycotting the event.
In a statement, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan said that though the invitation for the event mentioned Ravi as "Tamil Nadu Governor", the latter "has not delivered his constitutional duties".
"More than 20 bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly (for Governor's assent) have been put in cold storage. Further, he continues to utter pro-RSS remarks," Mutharasan said.
VCK founder Thirumavalavan, a Lok Saha member, also made points against the Governor to explain his party's decision to boycott the Raj Bhavan event.
Earlier, the state government and allies skipped Pongal celebrations after the faceoff. The Pongal invitation also mentioned Tamil Nadu as Tamizhagam and it did not have the emblem of Tamil Nadu government. As a result, DMK, Congress, CPI(M), CPI, VCK and MDMK boycotted the event.
However, the Governor later softened his stand and acknowledged the use of Tamil Nadu. Ravi in an event on January 18 said, "Nandri (Thank You), Vazhga Tamil Nadu (Long Live Tamil Nadu), Vazhga Bharatham (Long Live India)."
(With agency inputs)