Governor Stops Rahul Gandhi Slogans During TN Minister’s Oath
Arlekar asked to Kumar confine to the written oath given to him after the Congress leader raised slogans hailing his party leaders
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who sworn-in ministers in the TVK Cabinet during its expansion on Thursday, asked Congress leader S Rajesh Kumar to stick to the written oath after the latter deviated. Arlekar asked to Kumar confine to the written oath given to him after the Congress leader raised slogans hailing his party leaders.
Kumar is the Congress Legislature Party leader representing Killiyoor constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. He was among the 23 MLAs, including 21 from TVK who were inducted in the C Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet on Thursday.
During the oath-taking as state minister at the Lok Bhavan here, Kumar, while reading out the oath from a paper, suddenly hailed Congress leaders Kamaraj, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, spontaneously prompting the Governor to say "that is not part of your oath."
Immediately, an official approached Kumar and pointed to the written statement placed in front of him. Thereafter, he completed the oath.
Minutes later, TVK legislator from Salem South, A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, after taking the oath as a minister, hailed party leader and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, present on the dais, saying "vaazhga thalaivar, valarga Tamil" (long live the leader, may Tamil prosper)".
TVK member from Sriperumbudur, Thennarasu, concluded his oath as a minister by saying he would remain loyal to the party leader and the party.
