Banwarilal Purohit meets Narendra Modi, HM to discuss Tamil Nadu politics

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and is understood to have discussed the political situation in the state. Purohit, who had yesterday called on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, met Modi at his office and briefed him about the prevailing political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu.

This is the first time Purohit is meeting Modi after swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Governor last week. Tamil Nadu politics has seen several ups and downs since J. Jayalalithaa’s death in December 2016 and currently the ruling party is battling a rebellion by rebel T T V Dhinakaran.

18 MLAs owing allegiance to Dhinakaran have been disqualified from their positions by the Speaker, which has been challenged in the Madras high court. The high court has also imposed a stay on conduct of floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. He is also likely to broach the topic during his meeting with Kovind and Modi.

Purohit also met Singh at his office and gave him a detailed briefing on the situation in the state. Governor’s role is crucial since the 18 MLAs have already given a letter of withdrawal of support to the Chief Minister. Opposition parties have also knocked at the doors of the Rashtrapati Bhawan seeking the President’s intervention.