'Cheap politics' by governor worse than opposition: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday unleashed a sharp broadside against governor R.N. Ravi, accusing him of indulging in “cheap politics” worse than that of the opposition. The DMK leader charged the governor with spreading “canards” against both his party and the state government.

Highlighting a slew of welfare measures introduced under his tenure, Stalin said Tamil Nadu had become a trailblazer in social schemes. “The Dravidian model government is the one which shows direction to the country. Some mischief mongers are unable to stand this and are making baseless allegations,” he said.

The remarks, made at a government function to launch new social welfare initiatives, come amid an escalating rift between the ruling DMK and the Raj Bhavan. Stalin has repeatedly accused Ravi of overstepping his Constitutional role, while the governor has, on several occasions, voiced concerns about law and order, drug abuse, and women’s safety in Tamil Nadu.

Their tussle has played out publicly over stalled legislation, the governor’s refusal to read out portions of Assembly addresses, and even his controversial stance on the Tamil anthem.

Without naming him at first, Stalin told the crowd: “There is someone doing cheaper politics than them (opposition), you know who it is. It is governor R.N. Ravi, appointed by the Union BJP government. You know what he does from the Raj Bhavan — spread canards against the DMK government, against DMK. He will insult Dravidam, won't approve legislations (bills), will disrespect Tamil Thaai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem) and malign TN students.”

The chief minister accused the governor of making “unfounded allegations” about education, law and order and women’s safety, thereby “creating panic”. He contrasted Ravi’s remarks with data. “Tamil Nadu is the top Indian state. We are not saying this, Union BJP government’s statistics stand as testament to this. Tamil Nadu is ahead of BJP-ruled states (in social indices). Unable to stand this, he (Ravi) is venting out his frustration in public fora,” Stalin said.

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His attack came days after the governor used his Independence Day address to highlight concerns over drug use and women’s safety in the state. Stalin countered with figures, pointing out that Tamil Nadu ranked second in school education and had managed to attract Rs 10 lakh crore worth of investments in the last four years thanks to stable law and order.

On women’s safety, he invoked National Crime Records Bureau data from 2022 to note that “BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh tops in crimes against women. Therefore, the governor should target BJP-ruled states”.

Stalin also charged that “the Union BJP government is carrying out its cheap politics through the governor who is constantly functioning against Tamil, Tamil Nadu, its people and feelings”. Yet, he also claimed Ravi’s presence ultimately benefited the DMK’s cause. “He is effectively ensuring that our fire for the language, race and ideology burns bright. Let him talk, I am not bothered. I am only bothered about you, want to be truthful to you who have voted for us,” he told the gathering.

Turning to government achievements, Stalin listed a string of initiatives including “Ungaludan Stalin, Nalan Kakkum Stalin, Thayumanavar Scheme,” saying beneficiaries themselves had become ambassadors of these programmes. He inaugurated projects worth Rs 367.77 crore, laid the foundation for works worth another Rs 512 crore, and announced new industrial allocations at the SIPCOT Industrial Park.

Recounting past DMK-led contributions to the district such as the Hogenakkal integrated drinking water scheme, Stalin also spotlighted the state’s 'Vidiyal Payanam' free bus travel scheme for women. “The expenditure involved in it was being viewed as savings by women over the four years. Seeing its success, the initiative has been implemented in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by the respective governments,” he noted.

The event also saw the launch of a Cooperative Department pilot to provide interest-free crop loans to farmers applying online, with the assurance of same-day disbursal. An official release said the initiative, starting in Dharmapuri, would soon expand across Tamil Nadu.

In the larger political backdrop, Stalin’s fiery comments reflect not just a state-versus-governor dispute, but also the DMK’s determination to frame Ravi as a proxy for the BJP’s influence in Tamil Nadu — an ongoing narrative that has turned the Raj Bhavan into a lightning rod for Dravidian resistance.

With PTI inputs