Explained | Governor R.N Ravi vs. M.K. Stalin’s government in Tamil Nadu: a timeline of events Premium

R.N Ravi’s tenure as Tamil Nadu Governor has been marked by conflict with the Chief Minister M.K Stalin-led State government. We examine the timeline of the struggle and important developments in Tamil Nadu.

Come September, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi will complete two years in office. Since Mr. Ravi was appointed as the Governor, the M.K. Stalin-led State government’s relations with Raj Bhavan have been fraught , coming to a head multiple times.

The leader of the ruling coalition, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has historically questioned the role of Governors and advocated federalism. DMK founder C.N. Annadurai likened the Governor’s role to a goat’s beard, saying both were unnecessary. The dismissal of the M. Karunanidhi government on the recommendations of Governor K. K. Shah during the Emergency further hardened the DMK’s stand.

Current Governor Mr. Ravi also faced multiple calls from the government to step down from his post, having his fair share of impasses with them. The latest disagreement between the two parties relates to Mr. Ravi’s decision to ‘dismiss’ arrested Minister V. Senthilbalaji from the cabinet on June 29, only to hurriedly backtrack on his decision in a few hours. That decision has now been kept in abeyance.

Here’s a look at the multiple instances of friction between the DMK-led state government and the Governor since his appointment in 2021.

Allies question appointment 

Mr. Ravi was appointed the Governor of Tamil Nadu on September 18, 2021, having been transferred from Nagaland.

In Tamil Nadu, while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK initially welcomed Mr. Ravi’s appointment, coalition allies viewed it with suspicion. Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri questioned the motive behind appointing R.N. Ravi, a retired IPS officer, as the next Governor of Tamil Nadu.