Govt should respect Governor’s office: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan speaks to the media about the recent developments in the State, after meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi

Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan sounded a little cautious yet made it clear that the Telangana government should respect the Governor’s office as it was not about an individual but a Constitutional office.

She was expressing her views to the reporters in New Delhi after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday apparently to brief the recent developments in Telangana.

Ms. Soundararajn said Governor’s office should not be insulted and she leaves it to the people of Telangana to judge the government’s recent attitude towards the Governor’s office including the violation of the protocol in some instances. “If the government wants to insult the Governor, I leave it to the wisdom of people. I am a lady and a friendly Governor. I never made controversial remarks as well,” she said.

On the violation of protocols, she asked whether the Chief Secretary was not aware of the protocols. The district Collectors and Superintendents of Police also are aware of the protocols. It is about treating the Governor’s office with respect and not an individual, she argued.

Her comments gave enough credence to the speculation that the relations between the government and the Governor’s office turned sour in recent times and escalated after the Governor’s address for the budget sessions of the Assembly was ignored by the Government citing some technical reasons.

The remarks also assume significance in the light of recent developments where the protocol was violated during her visit to the Sammakka Saralakka festival in Mulugu district where none of the Ministers or the Collector or even the Superintendent of Police welcomed her, which is the general practice in any state.