High Drama at Raj Bhavan! Governor Outraged as Congress MLA Invokes Rahul Gandhi During Oath
A massive political showdown erupted at the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan during the high-profile cabinet swearing-in ceremony. The solemn atmosphere turned incredibly tense when a Congress MLA, while stepping up to take his official oath as a minister, deliberately inserted the name of top party leader Rahul Gandhi into the official text. Taking strong exception to this deviation, Governor RN Ravi immediately intervened, halting the proceedings right in the middle of the recitation. The Governor severely reprimanded the lawmaker for breaching constitutional protocol, sparking a fresh wave of political confrontation in the state.
How the Swearing-In Swerved into an Unprecedented Showdown
The incident unfolded in a packed hall during the cabinet expansion ceremony of the newly formed government. As the designated Congress MLA walked up to the podium to swear his allegiance to the constitution and secrecy of office, he modified the standard format to pledge his loyalty "in the name of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi." Before the legislator could finish his sentence, Governor RN Ravi cut him off completely. Visibly displeased, the Governor reminded the lawmaker in a stern voice that the Raj Bhavan is a constitutional venue, not a political rally, emphasizing that an oath can only be taken in the name of God or the Constitution.
Governor Rejects the Compromised Oath and Demands Retake
The tension in the room escalated further when the MLA initially attempted to justify his action, leading to a brief but sharp exchange of words. Standing his ground on statutory guidelines, the Governor made it absolutely clear that any oath deviating from the legally prescribed format under the Third Schedule of the Constitution would be deemed null and void. Refusing to sign off on the paperwork, the Governor ordered the officials to withdraw the file and directed the Congress leader to read the text all over again. Facing an unyielding stance from the chair, the legislator eventually relented and completed the process strictly by the book, omitting any political references.
A History of Friction Over Political Pledges in Tamil Nadu
This high-voltage drama is not an isolated event but rather the latest chapter in the ongoing friction between the state's ruling alliance and the Governor's office. In the past, various lawmakers from Dravidian and allied parties have attempted to insert the names of icons like Periyar, Anna, or their respective party high commands during such ceremonies, regularly drawing institutional ire. Constitutional experts point out that the strict intervention by the Governor aligns with legal precedents, which mandate that the sanctity of a constitutional pledge cannot be customized for partisan loyalty or political posturing.
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