Pongal Invitation Row: Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan PRO Removed From Post

S Selvaraj, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan has been relieved from his duties today (12 January) with immediate effect.

The drastic action comes after a controversy erupted over the use of ‘Tamizhaga Alunar’ instead of ‘Tamil Nadu Alunar’ to denote Tamil Nadu Governor and the dropping of the state government emblem from the Pongal invitation sent out by the Raj Bhavan.

Unhappy with the invitation, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP S Venkatesan had said, “He (Governor Ravi) has refused to use the state symbol because the name Tamil Nadu is part of it. Likewise, shall we expect that the Governor will vacate his rented accommodation (Raj Bhavan) and leave Tamil Nadu?”

Journalist Savukku Shankar tweeted saying that according to his sources, the Governor had relieved Selvaraj of his duties because he suspected him to be a mole of the Tamil Nadu government.

Also Read: ‘Tamizhagam’ Reference And No State Emblem In Pongal Invite Sent By Tamil Nadu Governor Cause Another Row