The differences between the BRS government and Raj Bhavan in Telangana came to fore once again on Thursday with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao staying away from the Republic Day celebrations held at Raj Bhavan here. Soundararajan, who assumed office as Governor in 2019, has been accusing the state government of not adhering to protocol with regard to her office.
Pointing to officials not observing protocol during her visits to districts, she has maintained that the office of Governor should be respected. However, the ruling BRS has denied the charge and said prior to her appointment as the Governor, she was president of BJP in Tamil Nadu, and was using the constitutional post to indulge in politics.
Asked what the Constitution says about CM attending the Republic Day event and others, legal expert and former Central Information Commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu stated that these are conventions which need to be followed by all to maintain the dignity of the occasion. A row broke out last year when the Governor’s customary address to the Assembly did not take place. Soundararajan had expressed displeasure over the CM not attending the customary ‘At Home’ hosted by her at the Raj Bhavan.