Amid chaos surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death, Sasikala’s jail, expulsion of Panneerselvam from party and EK Palanisamy being named new party chief, the role of governor remains a bit obscure.
The mainstream national media, which rarely turns its attention to the southern states, focussed on Tamil Nadu on three different occasions during the last couple of months. Unfortunately all the three occasions did not pertain to happy tidings but these did help enhance understanding of the state to the rest of the country. The death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, an iconic figure for lakhs of her supporters, in December opened floodgates of emotions for them. The touching scenes of mourning, and the reported death of several of her followers shocked by her passing away, is rarely seen in public life. The five time chief minister had left behind a mixed legacy.
The other issue which attracted national attention was the spontaneous and massive protest against the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu, the ancient Tamil sport of bull baiting associated with the harvest festival of Pongal, brought the state into focus of media attention. The ban, which was later lifted by circumventing the judicial order through the ordinance route by the state government, was imposed by the Supreme Court.
The latest incident of the state bouncing back into national focus pertains to VK Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s close aide, claiming the post of chief minister after forcing chief minister O Panneerselvam to tender his resignation. It was this protracted drama that has re-opened the vital question regarding the discretionary powers of the Governor.
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