Chennai ,07 March (H.S.):

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin met outgoing Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi in Chennai on Saturday (March 7) and conveyed his congratulations following Ravi’s appointment as the new Governor of West Bengal.

The meeting took place at the Raj Bhavan in Guindy, where Stalin paid a courtesy visit to greet the Governor after the Union government announced his transfer to the eastern state earlier this week. The interaction marked a formal exchange between the two leaders as Ravi prepares to move to his new assignment.

During the visit, the Chief Minister honoured Ravi by draping a traditional shawl over him and presented a statue of the revered Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. The gesture was seen as a customary mark of respect from the state government to the outgoing constitutional head of the state.

The meeting came shortly after the Centre confirmed Ravi’s appointment as the Governor of West Bengal, filling the vacancy that arose following the resignation of C. V. Ananda Bose on March 5.

The interaction also carried political significance as the relationship between the Tamil Nadu government led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Governor Ravi had often been marked by tensions during his tenure in the state.

Over the past few years, the state government and the Governor’s office had differed on several constitutional and administrative matters. Among the most contentious issues was the delay in granting assent to a number of Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The DMK government had repeatedly criticised the Governor for holding back legislative approvals and had accused the Raj Bhavan of obstructing the functioning of the elected government. The dispute eventually reached the Supreme Court, where the Tamil Nadu government sought clarity and directions regarding the Governor’s role in acting on Bills passed by the Assembly.

Despite the history of disagreements, Saturday’s meeting reflected a courteous farewell gesture ahead of Ravi’s transition to his new role. In a related development, the President of India has asked Goa Governor R. V. Arlekar to hold additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu until a permanent appointment is made.

Observers note that the meeting signals a formal conclusion to Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu, which was marked by several constitutional debates but ends with a customary exchange of goodwill between the state’s elected leadership and the departing Governor.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman