Emboldened by the recent Supreme Court verdict on clearing pending bills held by the Governor and President without giving assent, DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reiterated the party’s old refrain of calling the Governor a ‘postman’, asserting that he had no real power.
In an interview with a leading English daily, Stalin was quoted as saying, “Through the ruling, the Supreme Court has clarified that the authority of the legislature cannot be crippled. In a democracy, it is the government elected by the people that holds the power to legislate. The position of Governor, which is an appointed post, is only an honorary one. The SC has also validated the DMK’s stand that the power of a Governor is only that of a postman between State and Union governments.”
Continuing his tirade against the Governor, Stalin said in that interview, “He is serving in Tamil Nadu even after completing his tenure. As far as we are concerned, the Governor, who acts against the Tamil language, Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, and the name ‘Tamil Nadu’, presents himself as a staunch BJP man. Since all his actions are despised by the people, he will indirectly help the DMK by continuing BJP’s anti-people activities as long as he remains in office.”
Reacting to Stalin’s comments, TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran said, “Calling the Governor a ‘postman’ was unbecoming of a Chief Minister.” Referring to Stalin’s remark that Tamil Nadu is out of control, the BJP chief said, “Without effort, the DMK will be out of control in Tamil Nadu by 2026.”
Countering the accusations, BJP functionary and political commentator Omampuliyur Jayaraman said the Governor is pro-Tamil. “He can speak Tamil very well and quote from Tamil literature. Governor Ravi has honoured poet Bharathiyar, saint Thiruvalluvar, and freedom fighters. He regularly organises functions to honour Tamil scholars at Raj Bhavan.”
On April 5, the Governor released the book Kamba Ramayanam, republished by Alliance Company, at the Kamba Chiththiram Vizha. Earlier in March, Ravi participated as chief guest and addressed the gathering at the inauguration of the Kamba Ramayana Festival at Kambar Marriage Hall, Therazendur. “The Governor can speak in Tamil without referring to any bit of paper, unlike Stalin, who often struggles to pronounce it correctly.”
“CM Stalin has no dharmic right to call others anti-Tamil. The Stalin family has its roots in Andhra, with Telugu as their mother tongue. A majority of DMK Ministers and MLAs are from Telugu-speaking communities. During the Dravidian regime, Tamil has been slowly dying. Many students fail in Tamil language subjects and cannot speak or comprehend Tamil words or literature. The gaffe in Tamil Thai Vaazhthu was the mistake of the organiser, DD. At Udhayanidhi’s event held two days later, it was sung incorrectly again. Most DMK leaders cannot properly sing Tamil Thai Vaazhthu or the national anthem,” he added.
DMK’s aversion to the post of Governor runs deep and is often raised to suit political convenience. Its relationship with the gubernatorial head resembles a honeymoon period – lasting only a few days. Once their purpose is served, the criticism begins. This is not the first such war of words with the Raj Bhavan.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said, “On April 8, the Supreme Court declared the Tamil Nadu Governor’s actions illegal and affirmed that it is the Governor’s duty to grant assent to resolutions passed by the Assembly. As the DMK has consistently argued, the Court made it clear that the Governor’s role is merely that of a postman between the Union and State governments.”
He reiterated this on April 10, when the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Governor’s authority was delivered, calling it “just the beginning” of the fight for State autonomy. He emphasised that the ruling reinforces the DMK’s long-standing position that the Governor is “merely a postman” between the Union and State governments. He issued a detailed statement on April 8, calling it a “Red Letter Day” and described the Supreme Court’s decision as a “monumental judgment” that curtails the Governor’s overreach and safeguards State rights. Stalin accused Governor Ravi of engaging in “unethical politics” in universities, alleging that he misused his position as Chancellor to “paint campuses saffron.”
Earlier, on April 26, 2022, while speaking at an event organised by the Dravidar Kazhagam against NEET, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that the Governor of the State, R.N. Ravi, is “nothing but a postman” and that “he would not seek Ravi’s approval over the NEET Bill.” He said, “I’m not asking for the approval of the Governor. He doesn’t have the power to approve. I’m asking him to send the Bill to the President. Just like Professor (Veeramani) said, he is supposed to do the postman job.”
On April 21, 2023, calling the Governor arrogant, Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed him, saying, “His name is not R N Ravi but RSS Ravi. Let me ask the Governor, who are you? What authority do you have? You are just a postman. Resign from your post. Stand for elections in any constituency, go meet the people and tell them about your ideology – they will throw slippers at you. If you win, then I’ll listen to you and even support NEET.”
“ஆளுநர் ‘Postman’ என்றால் ராஜ்பவன் படிகளை ஏன் மிதித்தீர்கள்” தமிழிசை சௌந்தரராஜன் ஆதங்கம்#TamilisaiSoundararajan | #MKStalin | #DMK | #BJP | #TNBJP | #GovernorRNRavi | #Tamilisai pic.twitter.com/OYxnER4ymh
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) April 20, 2025
One of the DMK’s founders, C.N. Annadurai, said, “There is no need for a beard on a goat or a Governor for the States – removing both will have no impact on the goat or the States.” That has always been the DMK’s stand. Ironically, when in opposition, they never missed a chance to meet the Governor to submit petitions against the ruling party (AIADMK), seeking dismissal or removal of ministers or other actions.
