Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today defended his decision of coming out with a report card on his three months in office, saying it was "within constitutional limits" and justified hosting dinner for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as he still considered himself a "Swayamsevak".
"I agree that earlier Governors never came out with report card. I did that. You may give me credit, or criticise me. I am functioning within constitutional limits. In a democracy communication with people is necessary," he told reporters.
Naik had riled the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh with his remark on law and order situation in the state on Monday when he released the controversial report card on his three months as Governor.
When arsked about his views on the law and order situation, he had said, "I have talked to the Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) time and again and when necessary written letters and from his side it has been said that efforts of all kinds are on to improve it".
Asked whether he was satisfied with the efforts of the government, he said, "This is one subject in which it is not like work done in a laboratory. He will have to work continuously... I must also add that in other states also there is a need to improve law and order situation".
Irked by Naik's actions, the Samajwadi Party had at a conclave earlier this month passed a resolution on constitutional limitations of Governors.
An angry SP General Secretary Naresh Agarwal had attacked Naik adivsing him to remain within his constitutional limit otherwise the party was ready for "hulla bol" (offensive) against him.
"The Governor should remain within his limits. If he crosses his limit, SP is ready for 'hulla bol' against him," he had said, adding "the Governor should not act like a BJP or RSS worker and work within his constitutional limits."
Naik, however, defended his decision to host a dinner at Raj Bhavan for Bhagwat.
"I have invited several political leaders...RSS leaders came to my house to have food. Before taking oath as the Governor, I quit primary membership of BJP. There is no provision of resigning from RSS. One is a Swayamsevak (volunteer) as long as he feels to be one. I consider myself a swyamsevak," Naik, a former Union Minister, said.
Uttar Pradesh was facing a severe power crisis, Naik said, adding he called Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and asked him to take steps to improve the situation.
"Goyal and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will meet soon. If my intervention helps Uttar Pradesh to overcome the power crisis, I will be happy," he said and asked if that could be called interference in the functioning of the government. "The intention behind it is important," he said.
