CHENNAI — Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi lodged a formal objection during a legislative assembly swearing-in ceremony when a Congress member of the legislative assembly deviated from the prescribed oath text to pay tribute to party figures, including current parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi, according to reports.
The Congress legislator, identified as Kumar, reportedly invoked the names of three prominent party personalities — former Chief Minister K Kamaraj, late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and sitting Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi — while reading from the official oath document. The governor's intervention came immediately following the unscheduled addition to the constitutional pledge that legislators are required to take upon assuming office.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Tamil Nadu's state government and the Raj Bhavan, which have intensified since Governor Ravi's appointment in 2021. Constitutional protocols mandate that legislators adhere strictly to the prescribed oath text without modifications or personal additions. The Tamil Nadu assembly has witnessed several confrontations between elected representatives and the governor's office over procedural matters in recent years.
Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have historically maintained strong reverence for K Kamaraj, who served as the state's Chief Minister from 1954 to 1963 and later became Congress party president. The inclusion of contemporary party leadership in oath-taking ceremonies, however, represents an unusual departure from established parliamentary traditions.