Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today strongly defended his district tours and meetings with officials, saying it was to subserve his Constitutional function.
The governor's reaction comes a day after he toured Cuddalore against which DMK and VCK staged demonstrations there.
He also made it clear that he will continue with his visits to various districts in the coming months, and interact with officials and the common people.
Stating that it was the duty of the governor to be acquainted with the true state of affairs in his region, a Raj Bhavan release here said Purohit's visits to different districts served that purpose.
The governor's office apparently made the point to counter the accusation that it was not his duty to do so.
The governor visiting "different districts, and learning first-hand the condition of the administration of the district serves a most necessary purpose to acquaint him with the administrations effort to implement the plans, policies and schemes of the government," the release said.
"Without such knowledge, he would have no real understanding about the condition, quality and extent of the administration of different regions of the state."
The Raj Bhavan release issued by R Rajagopal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, said acquisition of such knowledge first-hand must be seen as subserving the constitutional function of his office, and not detracting from it.
DMK and VCK had staged protests in Cuddalore saying the governor holding meetings with officials and visiting people besides receiving petitions like an elected representative went against the state's autonomy.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Su Thirunavukkarasar too had opposed his visits to districts in the absence of state ministers or the chief minsiter.
Purohit's meeting with officials in Coimbatore on November 14 led to a political row with opposition parties condemning the exercise.
On November 20, Purohit said there was no "illegality or unconstitutionality" in his actions and visited Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts.
The release rubbished the claim that there was no precedent for the governor's action. "..the doing of something that does not have a precedent would be objectionable only if it resulted in an illegality," it said.
Participating in a meeting does not amount to an illegality and the objection of absence of precedent was thus irrelevant, the Raj Bhavan said.
"Hence, the meetings being held by the governor with the district officials is in conformity with his role as governor of a state under the provisions of the constitution," the release said.
It extensively quoted constitutional provisions on the powers of the governor as head of the state executive.
Some reports and comments in respect of the governor's visits were "biased" and have been "in poor taste, reflecting the output of a jaundiced mind and a prejudiced outlook," the release said.
His meetings have been a "matter of satisfaction" for the state government and district officials and opposition reflected a lack of understanding of the constitution.
The Raj Bhavan also rubbished the allegation that the governor was "interfering at the behest of the Centre (in administration)," like it asserted last month.
"This is a bald allegation unsupported by any facts...this allegation deserves to be ignored," it said.
The release said persons who were ignorant of the constitution or those prejudiced against the office of the governor should desist from making comments that are illegal in nature.
"The governor is acting entirely in public interest and for the welfare of the common people, for motivating the administration at the district level."
Noting that the office of the governor is a constitutional office, the release said it deserved respect and honour.
"Attempting to disrespect the constitutional office will be deemed to be illegal and singularly unworthy of democratic appreciation," it added.
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