Chennai: Amid the tussle between Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the Leader of Opposition and DMK working president M.K.Stalin over the former's visits to districts, the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday quoted a legal opinion to insist there was no illegality in his actions.
"The executive powers of the state are vested in him. In fact, the same powers are available to the State which are available to the Governor", said a statement from Raj Bhavan citing the opinion of former Advocate General of Maharashtra Shreehari Aney.
Governor Purohit had sought Aney's advice in November 2017 after the DMK raised objection following his Coimbatore visit when he met the district officials.
Aney cited constitutional provisions to say there was no illegality on the Governor's part and advised him to ignore allegations that he was interfering in the state administration at the behest of Central Government. "It is a bald allegation unsupported by facts and whatsoever. In this absence of any factual basis, the allegation can and should be ignored," Aney has said.
Responding to a charge against the Governor that there was no precedent for such visits, Aney said as Governor of Assam too, he had held meetings with district administration there. He has declared his intention to do so in the present office.
"If the action is not unlawful, to say there is no precedent would have no meaning."
Backing the Governor's action, Aney has said it is his duty to stay acquainted with the true state of affairs of the territory he governs.
