DMK, allies boycott Governor’s ‘at home’ reception on R-Day

DMK, allies boycott Governor’s ‘at home’ reception on R-Day

TNN | Jan 27, 2025, 03.45 AM IST

Chennai: While the DMK and its allies boycotted the Republic Day ‘at home’ reception hosted by the Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Sunday, leaders of BJP, AIADMK, DMDK, TMC, and Puthiya Tamilagam participated in the event.

Political representation at the event was less this year compared to previous years, due to the boycott of DMK and its allies. Also absent were representatives of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Naam Tamizhar Katchi.

Senior BJP leader H Raja and actor-turned-politician Sarathkumar were among the first to arrive for the event, followed by AIADMK’s organising secretary D Jayakumar and former MP N Balaganga. There was a display of camaraderie between Jayakumar and H Raja. BJP state president K Annamalai too greeted AIADMK’s Jayakumar and exchanged pleasantries. Former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Puthiya Tamilagam president K Krishnasamy, TMC leader G K Vasan and DMDK deputy general secretary L Sudhish were also present.

Governor Ravi and his wife Laxmi Ravi greeted the guests who gathered at Raj Bhavan which was decked up with bright lights.

Awards for various competitions conducted for students as well as also for persons working for social causes and the environment were given by the governor.

“My profound regards and heartfelt thanks to the people of Tamil Nadu for their effusive participation in the traditional Republic Day At Home at the Raj Bhavan Chennai today,” Ravi said in a social media post.

“Several thousand brothers, sisters, and elders from among farmers, fishermen, dalits, weavers, tribals, artisans, and entrepreneurs participated in the national celebrations. I felt immensely energised by their love for the nation and humbled and blessed by their love for me,” he said.