M K Stalin, leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly, who is also the working president of the DMK, may be on a mission to get Governor Banwarilal Purohit transferred out of the State, but his Madurai-based elder brother MK Alagiri is not at all humoured with the move.
Alagiri, despite his expulsion from the DMK, wields considerable influence in southern Tamil Nadu. He does not approve the “Operation Purohit” campaign initiated by his younger brother. “Banwarilal Purohit is an excellent Governor and it is good that he has been appointed to Tamil Nadu. He is not like conventional governors who spend their time inaugurating public functions and cutting ribbons” Alagiri told The Pioneer.
The former union minister for chemicals and fertilisers, said he was also for State Autonomy. “But I have not seen Governor Purohit acting in any way against the State Autonomy. Here is a person who wants the general public to benefit by the welfare measures initiated by the Government and he should be complimented for that,” said Alagiri, addressed as Ancha Nenchan (Tamil for Brave Heart) by the DMK cadre.
“You should understand that Governor is a public servant entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the governance of the State. The general public is happy over the steps initiated by the Governor. The Government officials who come to meet me tell that they are happy with the meetings they had with the Governor. These meetings were convened by the State Government and a minister si always present during the sessions,” said Alagiri.
Though he was expelled by the DMK leadership in 2013 alleging him of anti-party activities, Alagiri continues o be what he was before the ouster from the party. Hundreds of cadres call on him on a daily basis to inform him about their grievances. He disclosed that the DMK was in a pathetic situation as on date because of poor leadership (read Stalin). “Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi, his father) is not well and there is a leadership vacuum. If the present situation continues, I am afraid the party is in for major trouble in the next General Election in 2019,”said Alagiri.